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Almanor Foundation-led Plumas Housing Council outlines early wins and first build-to-sell project
Summary
The Plumas Housing Council, convened by the Almanor Foundation and facilitated by a consultant team, presented county supervisors with a strategy focused on workforce-“attainable” housing, a build‑to‑sell starter home expected to be listed within six months, down‑payment assistance alignment and a countywide housing assessment under way.
Plumas County supervisors heard a countywide housing update on March 4 from the Almanor Foundation and consultants who have convened the Plumas Housing Council to coordinate nonprofit, philanthropic and public sector housing efforts.
Tyler Pugh, founding principal with O’Meara|Keefe Design (prime contractor for the Almanor Foundation project), described the council’s focus on “workforce‑attainable” housing — housing priced to be affordable to essential local workers across middle‑income ranges (roughly 80–120% of area median income) rather than only subsidized low‑income units. The council has been meeting monthly to map projects, align funding streams, and connect local stakeholders, he said.
Pugh highlighted three initial target areas: a build‑to‑rent model, a “lease‑to‑locals” subsidized rental approach that could use underutilized housing stock, and a “housing messaging” effort to make clear what housing is available and who it serves. He said the council is also aligning the Golden State down‑payment assistance model and local down‑payment assistance discussions with build‑to‑sell and ownership programs.
An early “win,” the consultant said, is a replicable build‑to‑sell starter home planned for sale within roughly six months at a target price below $275,000. The first home is funded by local philanthropic support; proceeds from its sale are expected to be reinvested in subsequent builds. Other pipeline work includes a countywide housing assessment (to be supported by an existing planning grant) and an effort to identify county surplus property suitable for housing development.
Supervisors praised the council’s coordination work and asked staffing and funding questions. Supervisor McGowan said the council’s principles could help prioritize forthcoming discretionary settlement dollars and midyear budget allocations. Planning Director Tracy Ferguson was recognized as a close partner in the assessment and housing element work.
Pugh said the council has been engaging local nonprofit and for‑profit partners, including conversations with Sierra Pacific Industries (SPI) regarding larger apartment projects and with local community service districts about single‑family projects. He also reported outreach to Habitat for Humanity affiliates; while Habitat typically builds single homes in many locales, the consultants said an active local nonprofit developer is a missing piece for scaled ownership development in the county.
The board did not take action but asked staff to continue coordination and to accept a more detailed presentation in several weeks that would clarify where county staff time or funding could best align with council projects.
