Community Homes of Patagonia, Inc.

The mission of Community Homes of Patagonia, Inc. (CHOP) is to support the diversity and vibrancy of the Town of Patagonia and its vicinity by providing quality, affordable housing opportunities to low- and moderate-income people in this community. Since 2007, CHOP has supported a home repair program, homebuyer education classes, and loan packaging services while working to develop its first affordable homes to be sold on the community land trust model. CHOP delivers its services through the dedication of its volunteers and a part-time program manager, raising necessary funds through grants, donations, and annual fundraising events. CHOP is an open membership organization.

Homeowner Program

Aims to build quality, permanently affordable homes for sale to individuals and families working in the Patagonia area who are priced out of the real estate market. In 2014 CHOP purchased 0.6 acres of land, located next to the Catholic Church, at reduced cost. CHOP is developing the organizational capacity, partnerships, and funding required to construct six modest homes, along with public greenspace.

Home Repair Program

Assists low-income homeowners with home repairs that pose a risk to their health and safety. To date, CHOP has completed 35 home repairs.

Homebuyer Education

Introduces participants to financial literacy, homebuyer readiness, and the home purchase process, and includes referrals to U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Certified Housing Counselors and HUD-approved homebuyer education courses.

Loan Packaging Services

Offers low- and very-low-income homebuyers an option to enlist the services of a Certified Loan Packager to help understand and complete the application process for the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture’s Single-Family Housing (502) Direct Loan Program.

Patagonia is a small, rural town located in eastern Santa Cruz County. CHOP serves low- and moderate-income working families and individuals who have lived or worked in Patagonia for at least a year. The typical participant in the home repair program is an older adult or a young family living in aging housing. Participants in the home ownership programs are people commuting into the area to work in government, the schools, and local businesses and resident families needing assistance to make the move into home ownership. 

The town of Patagonia and its vicinity has long suffered from a shortage of quality housing. The housing stock is old: 90% of Patagonia’s housing was built before 1990 and over half built before 1970. Over 20% of the housing stock is mobile homes, many of which were built before 1976 and are therefore ineligible for mortgages. 

Recent events have made the housing shortage even more severe. The popularity of Patagonia as a tourist destination has grown, bringing jobs and businesses, but also accelerating the trend of part-time residents and the conversion of housing into short-term rentals. In addition, Patagonia is the nearest town to South 32’s Hermosa mine, currently under development and the largest private investment in southern Arizona’s history. 

Many longtime Patagonia residents are older adults on fixed incomes. The median household income is only $30,000 and 45% of Patagonia residents rent their homes, far above the state’s average. The price of existing housing suitable for teachers, civil servants, and other workers—especially if they are raising families—has skyrocketed since 2020. A 2-bedroom, manufactured house built in the 1980s now sells for over $400,000.

The lack of quality, affordable housing affects everyone. In 2024, the schools transitioned to 4-day weeks of instruction in a bid to attract teachers who must commute long distances. Patagonia’s town manager has stated publicly that the town is losing out on job candidates because there is nowhere for them to live. People with long ties to the area are feeling forced out by changes beyond their control.

CHOP is the only housing non-profit in the Patagonia area that serves low- and moderate-income homeowners and potential homeowners. The home repair program helps keep people in safe and healthy homes, while preserving the local housing stock. A leaky roof repaired quickly not only benefits the current homeowner but also extends the life of the structure. Because we believe a diverse and inclusive community is a healthy community, CHOP also works to provide opportunities for new homeowners to build and maintain long-term assets that provide financial security. CHOP currently has the capacity to serve about 12 individuals annually through its programs, while we are working to develop the capacity to undertake our first housing construction project.

CHOP assists income-qualified households who reside or wish to reside in Patagonia without consideration of age, gender, race/ethnicity, creed, disability, etc.