Chaffee County Habitat for Humanity (CCHfH) and the Salida School District (SSD) celebrated the completion of construction at the Spartan Heights Subdivision with a dedication ceremony on August 10, 2023. The partnership between CCHfH and the Salida School District commenced in 2018, when David Blackburn, SSD Superintendent, approached Chaffee County Habitat to assist in the completion of a rental duplex for their staff. “The Salida School District is proud to have worked with multiple partners to ensure that our teachers have an affordable place to live,” stated Mr. Blackburn.
Habitat volunteers worked alongside the high school construction trades students to complete the project. Students enrolled in the Colorado Mountain College credentialed program received on-site skills training, safety certification, and workforce readiness. Chaffee County Habitat for Humanity also provided in-kind building materials for the duplex. The Salida School District sold two lots in the Spartan Heights Subdivision to Chaffee County Habitat for Humanity to build two additional single-family homes. David Blackburn mentioned, “This project is a great example of what an education community can do when government, industry and nonprofits all work together for the greater good.”
As a result of the partnership, school district employees with an interest in homeownership could apply for the new homes through CCHfH. Potential homeowners must fall between 30-80 percent of the area median income, have a need for housing, and have the ability to repay a zero-equivalent mortgage. Chaffee County Habitat also requires homeowners to fulfill a minimum of 250 sweat equity hours per adult. David Blackburn mentioned, “The District is so thankful to have been able to support our teachers and affordable housing.”
In February 2020, Habitat broke ground on their first home in Spartan Heights and continued construction throughout the various challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. Jessie Neppl, a paraprofessional at the Salida Middle School, was selected for this homeownership opportunity. Jessie is a lifelong resident of Salida and is very thankful for the opportunity to partner with Habitat for Humanity. “I am beyond thankful to be a part of the Salida School District and support children of the community. Not only is being part of the district awesome enough, but because of my occupation I have the opportunity to live in a Habitat for Humanity house in Spartan Heights.”
After completing Chaffee County Habitat’s 24th home in Nathrop in February of 2022, volunteers returned to Poncha Springs to begin the construction of Habitat’s second home in Spartan Heights. Shawn and Suzann Simpson were selected as the new homeowners. Shawn has worked as the Salida High School industrial arts teacher since 2006. “It has been such an amazing experience working with Habitat and we are so blessed to have been chosen for our home. My wife and I were wondering if we were ever going to be able to buy a house in the Salida area and have been renting for the last 15 years. We are so thankful to Habitat for Humanity and to the Salida School district for making this possible for us. We love our new home and are grateful for this opportunity.”
Because of the dedicated leadership of the Salida School District and Chaffee County Habitat for Humanity, this innovative partnership resulted in two local families’ dreams of homeownership becoming a reality, while also providing affordable rental opportunities for other SSD employees. Since starting the Spartan Heights projects, over one hundred hard-working volunteers from CCHfH contributed 6,600 hours working on the Spartan Heights construction projects. Thank you, Chaffee County!
Chaffee County Habitat is always in need of new volunteers, and it’s a wonderful way to get involved in the community. We have opportunities for volunteers of all skill levels, in both construction and non-construction roles. Chaffee County Habitat for Humanity invites you to get involved. Please visit our website at www.chaffeehabitat.org or give us a call at 719-395-0482.
