Community Homes of Patagonia, Inc.

Mission & Overview

Community Homes of Patagonia (CHOP) supports the diversity and vibrancy of Patagonia and surrounding areas by providing quality, affordable housing for low- and moderate-income residents

• Founded in 2007

• Services delivered by dedicated volunteers and a part-time program manager

• Funded through grants, donations, and annual fundraising events

• Open membership organization

Why Affordable Housing Is Urgent in Patagonia

If you love living or visiting Patagonia, and you smile when you see familiar faces at thePatagonia Market, share a meal at the Velvet Elvis, or pick up your favorites at RedMountain Foods… then you already know the answer to “Why not CHOP?” These are the neighbors, workers, and families CHOP walks alongside, helping them stay rooted in the community they love.

Why CHOP Matters

We are the only housing nonprofit in the Patagonia area focused on low- and moderate-income homeowners and buyers

• Home repairs:

  • Improve safety

  • Preserve housing stock

  • Extend the life of existing homes

• Homeownership programs:

  • Promote long-term financial stability

  • Support a diverse and inclusive community

• Current capacity:

  • Serving ~12 individuals annually

  • Actively building capacity for first housing construction project

Programs & Services

🏠 Homeowner Program

• Builds permanently affordable homes for working individuals and families priced out of the local market

• Uses the Community Land Trust (CLT) model

• In 2014, CHOP purchased 0.6 acres of land (adjacent to the Catholic Church) at reduced cost

• Planned development:

  • Five modest homes

  • Public green space

• Currently building organizational capacity, partnerships, and funding

🔧 Home Repair Program

• Assists low-income homeowners with repairs that affect health and safety

• Focus on aging housing stock

• 39 home repairs completed to date

• Helps residents remain safely housed while preserving existing homes

📘 Homebuyer Education

• Introduces participants to:

  • Financial literacy

  • Homebuyer readiness

  • The home purchase process

• Includes referrals to:

  • HUD-Certified Housing Counselors

  • HUD-approved homebuyer education courses

💼 Loan Packaging Services

• Supports low- and very-low-income homebuyers

• Provides access to a Certified Loan Packager

• Assists with applications for:

  • USDA Single-Family Housing (502) Direct Loan Program

Who CHOP Serves

• Low- and moderate-income individuals and families who:

  • Have lived or worked in Patagonia for at least one year

  • First time home buyers in Santa Cruz county

• Typical participants:

  • Older adults on fixed incomes

  • Young families in aging housing

  • Teachers, government workers, and local employees commuting long distances

• 🔗 Eligibility requirements for Homeownership or Home Repair

Why Affordable Housing Is Urgent in Patagonia

🏘 Aging & Limited Housing Stock

• 90% of homes built before 1990

• Over 50% built before 1970

• 20%+ are mobile homes — many built before 1976 and ineligible for mortgages

📈 Rising Costs & Market Pressure

• Growth as a tourist destination → increase in short-term rentals

• Patagonia is closest town to South32’s Hermosa Mine, the largest private investment in southern Arizona

• Since 2020:

  • Housing prices have skyrocketed

  • A 2-bedroom manufactured home (1980s) now sells for $400,000+

👥 Community Impacts

• Median household income: $30,000

• 45% of residents rent, far above state average

• Schools moved to 4-day instruction weeks to attract teachers

• Town losing job candidates due to lack of housing

• Longtime residents feeling displaced

Fair Housing Commitment

• CHOP assists income-qualified households without discrimination based on:

  • Age

  • Gender

  • Race or ethnicity

  • Creed

  • Disability

  • Any other protected status