A monthly update regarding the important work of RCRC's affiliated entities, providing innovative services for the benefit of rural communities.
GSFA Expands “Assist-to-Own” Program and Partners with Counties to Spread the Word
Last week, Golden State Finance Authority (GSFA) expanded its new “Assist-to-Own” program to provide county employees in GSFA member counties with homeowners assistance for the purchase of a home in any California county.
The rising cost of housing can create significant barriers for county employees wishing to live in or near the community in which they work. To help reduce these barriers and strengthen the local government workforce, GSFA launched the “Assist-to-Own” Program to offer homebuyers assistance to GSFA member county employees. When first launched, the assistance was limited to county employees purchasing a home within the jurisdiction of their employer. Following input from GSFA member counties, “Assist-to-Own” now provides GSFA member county employees down payment and closing cost assistance for the purchase of a home in any California county. In this way, employees may utilize the program to purchase a home within the county they are employed, or in a nearby county, thus increasing their home purchase options.
To help spread the word about “Assist-to-Own”, GSFA is also partnering with counties to develop individualized marketing plans that provide education and outreach to their county employees. These marketing strategy sessions are scheduled with GSFA and key personnel in each county and cover the following:
- Overview of “Assist-to-Own” eligibility and available assistance
- Examples of potential marketing strategies
- Discussion of the best avenues for outreaching to the employees of each individual county
Following the session, GSFA then develops the individualized marketing materials and works alongside the county on distribution.
For additional information regarding “Assist-to-Own” and GSFA, visit www.gsfahome.org or call (855)740-8422. Counties interested in working with GSFA to market the program to their employees, should contact Carolyn Jhajj at cjhajj@rcrcnet.org.
GSNR Goes Public with Project Plans at Local Town Hall Meetings
During the week of May 9, the Golden State Natural Resources (GSNR) team went on the road for some pre-CEQA town halls in Lassen and Tuolumne counties in preparation for the initiation of its forest resiliency projects. This presented the first opportunity for GSNR to outline its mission and business plan to the general public in the two communities where GSNR plans to develop pellet processing facilities. Each facility, when up and running, will bring a dramatic positive impact on the greater area economy and workforce employment.
Over 80 interested residents attended the Jamestown Community Center in Tuolumne County. GSNR President Greg Norton and the team of staff and specialty consultants described the project from forest thinning, through transportation, pellet production and shipping overseas to replace current coal fired power production. The planned 30-minute Q & A period lasted almost 90 minutes and was overwhelmingly positive.
In preparation for the Lassen County public town hall, Greg and GSNR Vice President Kevin Cann first addressed the Lassen County Board of Supervisors and staff at their formal session on May 10. The following evening, GSNR staff held the town hall meeting at the Bieber Veterans Memorial Auditorium with an anticipated turnout of 20-50 people. Instead, over 270 local residents attended and patiently sat (and stood) through a 30-minute project overview followed by a 90-minute Q & A. The project appeared well received with many wanting to know how they could support efforts moving forward.
Overall, the meetings were very successful at informing local communities about GSNR’s project plans, in advance of the formal CEQA Environmental Impact Report public process. This process is scheduled to kick off in June and run into early 2023. A big thanks to all who made them possible!