Chaffee Housing Authority signs $1.6M HDG contract; outlines 33-unit project and PIT count efforts

Marjo Kyrgus, executive director of the Chaffee Housing Authority, briefed the board on a housing project and countywide efforts on Jan. 13. Kyrgus said the authority signed a $1,600,000 housing development grant contract to pass through to a 33-unit modular construction project (working with Verdura) and described how the project mixes deeply affordable and market-rate units: two units at 30% AMI (very-low income), two at 60% AMI, several units at 80% AMI, and units at 90% and 100% AMI.

Kyrgus said the project uses a strategy of “sprinkling” affordability throughout the development to serve a diversity of household incomes and that occupancy targets are roughly early 2027. She also said she had been contacted by City Market (Kroger) about employer-housing coordination and that CHA is exploring options such as master-leasing to match incoming workers with available units.

CHA is also organizing a point-in-time (PIT) count on the evening of Jan. 27; Kyrgus asked the public to volunteer to help map unsheltered locations and provide accurate baseline data for federal and state funding decisions. She noted Jan’s Place will include Molly House, a gap/bridge housing program to provide temporary stays for families and seniors who are between housing arrangements, and said the CHA will manage that program directly.

Kyrgus announced CHA’s plan for a two-year strategic plan and that the authority engaged Omni to facilitate strategic planning and that Root Policy was selected by the county to lead the housing needs assessment. She asked trustees to expect further updates as grant reporting to DOLA and IGA annual reporting proceeds.

Trustees thanked Kyrgus and noted the CHA’s work is a critical component of the county’s approach to housing and workforce recruitment.