CHIP brings affordable, intergenerational apartment complex to Paradise

By Mark Montgomery Director of Fundraising & Communications

On February 21, the Town of Paradise Planning Commission unanimously approved the development plan for Cypress Family and Senior Apartments. The developers behind the project are Community Housing Improvement Program (CHIP), Mercy Housing, and Zen Development, Inc. and the plan includes 70 units of affordable senior housing and 70 units of affordable family housing. The development aims to serve seniors, families, and individuals at 30%-60% Area Median Income (AMI).

Located on Cypress Lane off Clark Road, the site is made up of 24 acres with ample greenspace to work with the existing creeks and natural elements. The 70 units of family housing will be divided into eight two-story buildings, and 70 units of senior housing will be divided into two single-story and two, twostory buildings. There will be a 5,700sf community building shared by both communities.

The property will be managed by CHIP with two full-time, on-site resident managers, one part-time property management assistant, two full-time maintenance staff, and one full-time Resident Services employee who will serve both senior and family residents. CHIP is excited for the intergenerational programming opportunities for the residents. Some examples of intergenerational activities include teens pairing with seniors to give tech lessons, providing companionship, or assisting with everyday errands, or seniors mentoring youth, offering childcare services, or teaching oral history.

Buildings Standards Code (CALGreen) will be adopted to promote Green Building Sustainability, and Energy Efficiency in the proposed project. The proposed project will also be designed to incorporate principles of sustainability, including water and energy efficiency, resilience, and mitigating the impact of future disasters.

The buildings are designed to meet Wildfire Urban Interface (WUI) standards, and multiple egresses have been designed. Additional fire safety design considerations have been made in collaboration with the Butte County Fire Safe Council.

The future development is still in planning stages. If all goes well, construction on the first phase (family buildings), will begin sometime next year with the second phase (senior) starting about six months later. Occupancy and leasing would start in 2025. CHIP is working with the Town of Paradise to determine preferences for Camp Fire survivors. More information, including site plans, can be found on the blog section of CHIP’s website at chiphousing.org.