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The Salvation Army Yuba/Sutter Corps (California) held a ribbon cutting and dedication today for eight new transitional homes for families displaced by the 2018 Camp Fire in Butte County. The homes in Olivehurst are an extension of The Salvation Army’s long-term recovery program it continues to offer wildfire survivors.
Salvation Army leaders, Marni Sanders, CEO of Yuba Sutter Chamber of Commerce and Chris Sachs, Marysville Police Chief and President of the Sutter Yuba Homeless Consortium spoke at the event. The Salvation Army also recognized Tri Counties Bank, Hilbers Construction, Sutter Yuba Homeless Consortium, Bayside Church, Habitat for Humanity and Bi-County Ambulance for their part in making this project a reality.
The homes are finished ahead of schedule, thanks to the hard work by Hilbers Construction and city and county officials.During the dedication ceremony, local businesses volunteered to sponsor all of the families who will live in the transitional homes.This means the families will move into their new homes mid-December and find a Christmas tree, presents and a holiday meal waiting for them, all courtesy of The Salvation Army’s partners.
The approximately 1,000 square ft. homes are the only transitional housing units in the region. The Salvation Army is still identifying families for this part of its long-term recovery program.
Not only is there still a big demand for Camp Fire survivor housing, a year later, but the region has a 15 percent poverty rate and rising homeless population. Hope Vista homes will be reserved for Camp Fire survivors for at least 18 months. After that, the homes may be available to others going through Salvation Army programs.
Since the 2018 Camp Fire, The Salvation Army has helped 74,254 survivors. The value of services provided amounts to $9,857,784.
