The first of three events related to affordable housing in the Chippewa Valley, hosted by JONAH Affordable Housing Task Force, was held at the L.E. Phillips Memorial Public Library in Eau Claire on Wednesday, May 14. Speakers Mike Cohoon and Tiff Rox, some of the leaders part of the Hope Village initiative in Chippewa Falls, discussed what it took – and will continue to require – to get the tiny home community from concept to reality. 

Hope Village – Tiny Housing Alternatives, Inc., was founded nearly a decade ago in an effort to provide temporary housing in Chippewa County for those in need. After creating a community of 11 tiny homes and an adjacent community center, the nonprofit has set its sights on its next phase: a 28-unit affordable housing development.

In 2024, the organization reached its $2.7 million capital campaign goal and purchased the former Indianhead Motel with plans to renovate the space into an additional 27-unit affordable housing site.

"Affordable housing is a significant issue in the Chippewa Valley and elsewhere, but successful efforts to provide lower-cost housing are happening," JONAH Affordable Housing Task Force states.

According to the Eau Claire Tenant Resource Center, the Eau Claire area's housing voucher program regularly has a waiting list of over 300 individuals or families. 2023 U.S. Census Bureau data found about 10% of individuals in Eau Claire County are in poverty; about 9% of individuals in Chippewa County are in poverty.

JONAH shared several takeaways from the May 14 event, including the importance of engaging the wider community and gaining their support toward affordable housing projects; informational transparency; recognizing tenants as stakeholders; and Hope Village's success: in 10 years, 70% of guests went from tiny home living to permanent housing.

JONAH shared several takeaways from the May 14 event, including the importance of engaging the wider community and gaining their support toward affordable housing projects; informational transparency; recognizing tenants as stakeholders; and Hope Village's success: in 10 years, 70% of guests went from tiny home living to permanent housing. 

Additional community leaders also attended the event, including Eau Claire Tenant Landlord Resource Center's Program Coordinator Amanda Babb and JONAH Affordable Housing Task Force members Julian Emerson, TJ Atkins, Paul Savides, and Susan Wolfgram.

JONAH will host the next series events on June 11 and July 9, featuring Becky Piper from The Hub in Chippewa Falls and a panel of collaborators in Altoona, respectively. More event information will be shared online soon.

Learn more about JONAH Affordable Housing Task Force at jonahjusticeorg • Learn more about Hope Village at hopevillagechippewafalls.org