Welcome to North Valley Housing Trust

Focus and leverage local resources to build community and advance our economy by creating affordable homes and eliminating homelessness, thereby enhancing self-sufficiency and sustaining families.

There are over 1,000 homeless individuals in Chico, and over 2,000 homeless individuals in Butte County. Most of these individuals have lived in Butte County for more than five years, and a growing number are families with children. Homelessness hurts our economy by wasting public resources. A number of studies have shown that providing housing and supportive services for homeless individuals saves public funds by reducing hospitalization, police calls and incarceration. The existence of homelessness is unacceptable to a caring and healthy community.

The following elements characterize efforts that have proven successful in eliminating homelessness, as demonstrated by a multitude of effective strategies across the country.

• Direct engagement
• Immediate housing
• Holistic assessment
• A focus on building self-sufficiency
• Extensive collaboration
• Intensive case management
• Regular outcome measurement

Many local efforts are characterized by the elements described in the "Solutions" section (to the left), and have successfully moved people from homelessness to self-sufficiency. Go to our Success Stories section to read stories about how lives have changed for the better due to these efforts. While we have demonstrated how to make significant change, the resources currently available fall well short of the need. That’s why the North Valley Housing Trust was created.

• Make a visible impact.
• Achieve concrete results.
• Save public dollars.
• Leverage existing resources.
• Build long-term sustainability.
• Respond to local needs.
• Incorporate flexibility in fund use.
• Leverage the community’s unique strengths.
• Foster connections between donors and beneficiaries.
• Keep funds local.
• Build self-sufficiency through community partnerships.