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Spotlight

Learn how Chico’s Community Housing Improvement Program gives people the opportunity to build their own home—from the ground up

June 21, 2022 Anne Stokes Comments Off on Learn how Chico’s Community Housing Improvement Program gives people the opportunity to build their own home—from the ground up
Jennifer Palafox and her husband Hector Rubio feel their new home provides a secure future for their children, pictured here with the family pets. Photo by Michelle Camy

Owning a home is the crown jewel in the American Dream. Particularly in California’s current housing market, however, home ownership is increasingly out of reach for many families.

But for those willing to put in the work, CHIP’s Self-Help Program can help make that dream a reality.

“We had always thought we were going to save up, but there’s just nothing out in the market for anything cheap nowadays. Every year, you think, ‘I’m going to save up,’ and the prices just go up,” says homeowner Jennifer Palafox. “Especially after the fires. … Before the fires happened, there was plenty of real estate, but after, there was nothing.”

Hector Rubio and Jennifer Palafox,
with their children, in front of their new home.
Photo by Michelle Camy

CHIP’s program offers qualified first-time homebuyers like Palafox and her husband, Hector Rubio, the opportunity and support to build their own home. In lieu of a down payment, participants pay in “sweat equity,” building not just their house, but helping their new neighbors build their homes too. In December 2021, Palafox, Rubio and their three children were able to move into their new home after renting for 11 years.

“It’s really enjoyable when you start from the ground [up] and you build your own house. In the end you feel a lot of pride, all the work that’s gone in, and not just into your home, but everyone’s home that you helped build,” Rubio says. “When you’re all done, if you talk to most of the people, they’ll tell you they’re happy they built it and they’re proud they did it. Not that many people now can say they’ve built their own house.”

And it’s not just houses that get built. For new homeowner David Gonzalez Jr., the most rewarding part of the program was building a new community.

“The whole process was building a really strong foundation for a great community,” Gonzalez says. “I have a great relationship with my neighbors. Building together, that’s what helped that.”

For Palafox, however, the most important foundation they created was her family’s future.

“You want your house to stand for a hundred years and leave a legacy for your kids if you decide to pass it down. It’s not a rental home, you want to make it a home, and that’s what we were able to do with this group,” she says. “I think that’s the end goal for everybody, to be able to have a house they can come home to and know, ‘That’s mine. That’s going to be for my kids’ future and they know they’ll always have a safe home to come to.’”

For more information on CHIP’s Self Help Program, visit online at https://chiphousing.org/ or call 1-888-912-4663.

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  • CHIP
  • Housing

About the Sponsor

Community Housing Improvement Program (CHIP)
We believe in housing that is affordable for all. CHIP is a private, nonprofit 501(c)(3) corporation serving Butte, Glenn, Tehama, Shasta, Sutter, Yuba and Colusa counties. We assist low-income and rural disadvantaged residents, seniors and others who lack financial resources or knowledge to improve or provide adequately for their housing. Our organization has built more than 2,600 housing units in our seven-county service area and is acknowledged as an innovator and leader in rural housing issues.

Meet the sponsors

  • Adventist Health
    Adventist Health

    published 8 articles

  • Butte County Public Works
    Butte County Public Works

    published 10 articles

  • Chico News & Review
    Chico News & Review

    published 2 articles

  • Community Housing Improvement Program (CHIP)
    Community Housing Improvement Program (CHIP)

    published 12 articles

  • Oroville Hospital
    Oroville Hospital

    published 1 article

  • Tehama County Solid Waste Management Agency
    Tehama County Solid Waste Management Agency

    published 12 articles

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