TALK THE TALK. For folks interested in learning more about affordable housing options – and how to create more – in the Chippewa Valley, mark your calendars for July 9.

The third and final event part of JONAH Affordable Housing Task Force’s series, “Keys to Unlock Affordable Housing,” is slated for Wednesday, July 9, at the L.E. Phillips Memorial Public Library. The free-to-attend event will feature panelists part of Altoona’s affordable housing community, Solis Circle.

JONAH's first series event held on May 16.

The first series event, held on May 16 with featured speakers Mike Cohoon and Tiff Rox, highlighted Chippewa Falls’ highly successful Hope Village project. The second discussion, held about one month later on June 11, welcomed Becky Piper of The Hub; Piper spoke about The Hub, both a nonprofit and transitional housing project in Lake Hallie, and its support for those living “in between” and in need of temporary stable housing.

In a post by JONAH Affordable Housing Task Force following its June event, the organization noted several takeaways: The Hub has a 95% success rate in its nearly five years of operations; how weekly rent payments and case management services work for The Hub; and more. “We have the resources to duplicate Becky’s model in Eau Claire and she will partner with us," the organization stated.

The July 9 event will highlight Altoona’s Solis Circle – a project brought to life in a joint effort between the City of Altoona, Cody Filipczak of C&M Home Builders, and a number of community organizations including JONAH – and how it came to fruition. As with the overall series, the event will also offer conversation around what elements are or may be necessary to creating additional, similar housing in the wider Chippewa Valley.

The Solis Circle housing complex, formerly used as an assisted living facility, is host to over two dozen units, featuring efficiency, one-, and two-bedroom options. The complex was opened to the public in 2019, with rent starting at about $390 (including utilities).

Join the free-to-attend community discussion, the final of JONAH Affordable Housing Task Force's "Keys to Unlocking Affordable Housing" series, on July 9 at Eau Claire's L.E. Phillips Memorial Public Library.