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California Coalition for Rural Housing

Building affordable homes and empowering rural communities with California Coalition for Rural Housing

We create safe, sustainable housing solutions to uplift families
across California’s rural areas

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Our commitment to affordable housing in rural California

California Coalition for Rural Housing is dedicated to addressing the unique housing challenges faced by rural communities across California. For over 30 years, we have worked tirelessly to develop and preserve affordable homes that provide stability, opportunity, and dignity to families in need.

our commitment
our approach

Our approach

We go beyond constructing houses by collaborating closely with local residents, government partners, and community organizations. Together, we create sustainable housing solutions tailored to the specific needs of each rural community. Through rental housing, homeownership programs, and neighborhood revitalization efforts, we strive to improve the quality of life in every area we serve.

We also offer a variety of supportive services designed to help residents thrive. From financial education and job training to health and wellness programs, our goal as a rural housing coalition is to empower families and foster strong, vibrant communities.

Our core principles

Every project we undertake is guided by the following principles:

icon equity and sustainability

Equity and sustainability

Prioritize fair access to housing for all.

icon long term commitment

Long-term commitment

Focus on lasting impact, not short-term fixes.

icon community empowerment

Community empowerment

Engage residents to foster vibrant, thriving neighborhoods.

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CCRH Timeline 

1976

CCRH is formed following farm worker housing conference convened by Governor Jerry Brown  
CCRH sponsored the creation of the Rural Predevelopment Loan Program

1977

CCRH sponsored the creation of the Rural Land Purchase Program
CCRH sponsored the creation of the Joe Serna Jr. Farm Worker Housing Grant Program

1981

CCRH hired first paid staff, Rob Wiener
CCRH sponsored the creation of the California Self-Help Housing Program

1987

CCRH worked with Congressman Richard Lehman (D-Fresno) to introduce H.R. 2771/S. 1430. This bill passed and imposed a national moratorium on all Section 515 prepayments
CCRH co-staffed the California Senate Working Group on Housing Preservation, which generated about 20 bills dealing with tenant notification, right-of-first purchase by tenants, nonprofits, and public agencies, reporting at-risk properties and local actions in Housing Elements, and tax incentives for owners to sell to social owners. This also led to the creation of California Housing Partnership Corporation.
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1988

CCRH assisted in the passage of the Emergency Low-Income Housing Preservation Act (ELIHPA) of 1987, which imposed restrictions on future prepayments of HUD and USDA rental housing
CCRH supported the passage of California Proposition 84, Housing and Homeless Bond Measure which issued $300 million in bonds to fund emergency shelters, transitional housing, rental housing, rehabilitation and preservation of older homes, and first-time homebuyer purchase assistance.
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1990

CCRH supported the passage of California Proposition 107, Housing Bond Measure which issued $150 million in bonds for housing projects including housing for the homeless; rental housing for elderly, disabled, and farmworkers; and purchasing assistance for first-time homebuyers.
CCRH supported the passage of Title VI of the National Affordable Housing Act (NAHA), the Low-Income Housing Preservation Resident Homeownership Act (LIHPRHA) ; which provided grants to tenants, nonprofits, and public agencies to purchase and preserve affordability of HUD and USDA projects at risk of prepayment and/or termination of Section 8 project-based contracts.
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1991

CCRH received HUD Outreach and Tenant Assistance Grants and Preservation Technical Assistance Grants to aid resident associations seeking to purchase their properties.

1998

CCRH began its Internship Program geared toward students from underserved backgrounds

2002

CCRH sponsored and helped pass Prop 46, a $2.1 billion housing bond. Prop 46

2006

CCRH sponsored and helped pass Proposition 1C, a $2.85 billion housing bond

2007

CCRH helped 60+ owner-builders save for closing costs (IDAs)

In 2007, CCRH formally began its Tribal Housing and Community Development Program (THCDP) with funding from USDA

2013

In 2013, CCRH was recognized as “Rural Organization of the Year” by the National Community Reinvestment Coalition in Washington, D.C.

2014

Since 2014, CCRH has led resident organizing efforts throughout the Valley through our collaboration with Housing California’s Residents United Network.
In 2014, CCRH published “Native Americans and the Low Income Housing Tax Credit Program: Lessons from the California Tribal Pilot Program”
Under President Obama, AFFH efforts led by HUD initiated a pilot program for assessing and reporting on AFFH. With partners, CCRH authored the Fair Housing Equity Assessment for the San Joaquin Valley with profound insights and meaningful data
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2015

In 2015, CCRH was contracted by the California Department of Housing and Community Development and Rural Community Assistance Corporation to perform the first-ever statewide study of tribal housing conditions and needs in California.
The California Tribal Housing Study was published in early 2017 and incorporated within the State Housing Plan, 2015-2025.
Northern Circle and the Hoopa Tribe were awarded the first ever HOME award – marking the State’s first award to a Tribally Designated Housing Entity
CCRH advocated alongside partners for the inclusion of affordable housing in Cap and Trade — this became what we know as the Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities (AHSC) program

CCRH advocated with partners to create a rural target within AHSC and to create a TA program designed to support low-capacity, Disadvantaged Communities in accessing Cap and Trade resources

These changes were implemented in 2016

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2019

CCRH sponsored AB 1010 to provide Tribes access to state housing funding and establish the California Indian Assistance Program (CIAP)
CCRH published “California’s Housing Crisis & Manufactured Housing Communities”

2020

Starting in 2020, CCRH provided state funded technical assistance to applicants of the Manufactured Housing Opportunity & Revitalization (MORE) Program (formally MPRROP)

2021

CCRH published “Affordable Housing and Natural Disasters: A Practitioner’s Guidebook”
In 2021, CCRH launched the searchable database of California’s Inclusionary programs

2022

CCRH served on the state-funded technical assistance team for both the Regional Climate Collaboratives (RCC) Program and the Transformative Climate Communities (TCC) Program.

2023

HCD commissioned the University of California, Davis, Western Center for Agricultural Health and Safety (WCAHS) and CCRH to conduct the California Farmworker Housing Study.
In 2023, CCRH launched the Farmworker Housing and COVID-19 Resource Kit
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2024

Alicia HF Sebastian was hired as CCRH’s Executive Director.
CCRH sponsored SB 1187 to create a dedicated tribal housing development fund.

2025

CCRH launched the Organizational Leadership Pilot Program.

Trust signals

AB 1010 passing, 
2019

SB 1187 passing,
2024

20 years of internship program

California Coalition for Rural Housing’s programs provide vital support, research, and advocacy to strengthen rural housing development

We do more than create homes that foster strong, vibrant rural communities; 
we also offer the following rural housing solutions:

Technical Assistance

Expert guidance and resources to help rural housing developers overcome challenges and succeed

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Research

In-depth studies to inform policies and create effective solutions for rural housing needs

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Tribal Housing

Support for Native communities through culturally respectful housing development and preservation initiatives

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Internship Program

Hands-on learning opportunities to cultivate the next generation of rural housing leaders

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Legislative Priorities

Advocating for policies that advance affordable housing and community development in rural California

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Rural Housing Summits

Bringing together stakeholders to share knowledge, build partnerships, and drive rural housing progress

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Connect, learn, and collaborate at our rural housing events

Our events bring together experts, community members, and policymakers to share ideas, build partnerships, and advance affordable housing solutions statewide.

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Celebrating a New CCRH Role: Head of Special Initiatives and External Partnerships

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27th CCRH Internship Graduation Celebration

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Join us in building stronger rural communities

Together, we can create affordable homes and vibrant neighborhoods across California’s rural areas. Get involved, support our mission, and help make a lasting difference today.

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