Rural self-help housing technical assist

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Housing Service awarded a $500,000 Project Grant to Community Housing Improvement Program, Incorporated (CHIP) under the Rural Self-Help Housing Technical Assistance program (CFDA 10.420). The grant, awarded on June 30, 2025, will fund CHIP's provision of technical assistance services to very low- and low-income individuals and families in rural communities to enable them to build affordable housing using the self-help construction method. CHIP's services include providing construction expertise, homebuyer education, financial counseling, and community outreach to guide participants through the home construction process. As a sub-awardee, CHIP has also partnered with organizations like Enterprise Community Partners, Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), and the California Office of Emergency Services to support affordable housing preservation, increase resident services at rural affordable housing communities, and assist with wildfire debris removal and rebuilding efforts.