Gopher Field- A Phase Project

Future site of six homes!

CHOP is building the organizational capacity, partnerships, and funding resources required to build six moderately-sized affordable homes on the Gopher Field site, .6 acres of land on the corner of 3rd and Pennsylvania Avenues in Patagonia. This will be a phased project.

Phase 1 will be the construction of two 3- bedroom/2 bath single family homes, approximately 1200 square feet plus open space components. These homes will be designed to attract people who have grown up or lived in Patagonia and want to stay here, as well as our local teachers, Town employees, and other members of the local workforce who cannot afford to live where they work.

The CHOP Homeownership Program aims to help bridge the gap between the rising cost of Patagonia area homes and the modest wages many local residents live on. Our Community Land Trust (CLT) model of homeownership allows for eligible, local residents to afford the purchase of one of our homes.

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What is a Community Land Trust?

🟠 A family or individual purchases a house that sits on land owned by the community land trust.

🟠 Affordability is created through a community investment in the development of the permanently affordable homes.

🟠 The homeowners lease the land from the community land trust in a long-term (often 99-year), renewable lease.

🟠 The homeowners agree to sell the home at a restricted price to keep it affordable in perpetuity, but they may be able to realize appreciation from improvements they make while they live in the house.

Who Is Eligible?

🟠 A family or individual purchases a house that sits on land owned by the community land trust.

🟠 Affordability is created through a community investment in the development of the permanently affordable homes.

🟠 The homeowners lease the land from the community land trust in a long-term (often 99-year), renewable lease.

🟠 The homeowners agree to sell the home at a restricted price to keep it affordable in perpetuity, but they may be able to realize appreciation from improvements they make while they live in the house.

Homebuyer Education

CHOP is providing quality, affordable housing opportunities to Santa Cruz County, Arizona residents by hosting needed homebuyer workshops free of charge. Pima County Community Land Trust (PCCLT), is a HUD-approved education agency with trained housing counselors. CHOP hired the nonprofit to bring its knowledge and opportunities to our local residents. The goal is to get individuals and families certified and approved by the time Gopher Field is developed or enter the homebuying process in other areas. Why offer this class? Often, lenders require of first-time homebuyers an approved homebuyer education course to access affordable loan products, down payment assistance and closing costs. Examples of these loan products: USDA Rural Development 502 Direct Loan, FHA, VA, and other private lenders.

Call (520) 394-9051 for upcoming class schedule.

Section 502 Certified Loan Packager Available in Patagonia

Your local grassroots nonprofit, Community Homes of Patagonia (CHOP), has increased its capacity to help low- and very low-income households in their home buying journey. Tod C. Bowden, CHOP Board President, is now a Section 502 Certified Loan Packager.

READ FULL ARTICLE HERE.