COLUSA, CA (MPG) – The Regional Housing Authority hosted a grand opening ceremony on April 15 to unveil the new Rancho Colus Apartments, located on Highway 20 just south of the Sav Mor Shopping Center.
The 49-unit three-story apartment complex was recently completed, and residents have already begun to move in, said RHA Executive Director Gus Bacerra.
Becerra said Rancho Colus Apartments marks an important milestone in addressing housing accessibility in the region.
“Projects like this take a long time to put together, but they all start with conversation,” said Bacerra, who expressed gratitude to all partners involved in bringing the project to fruition.
The Rancho Colus Apartments feature a mix of one, two, and three-bedroom apartments, catered to low-income working families with diverse household sizes. Each unit boasts contemporary amenities, including energy-efficient appliances and modern finishes, enabling residents to enjoy a high quality of life.
Funding came from a variety of sources, including the No Place Like Home Program through the California Department of Housing and Community Development, awarded by the Colusa County Board of Supervisors, which provides for 15 units to be available to residents with mental health issues, which increases a risk for homelessness. Funding for the No Place Like Home came from voter-approved bonds to build thousands of housing units and treatment beds for people with serious mental health.
Colusa County will have an ongoing presence on-site as its Behavioral Health and Social Services Departments provide supportive services to residents, officials said.
The Regional Housing Authority has a successful record in Colusa County and has completed multiple apartment complexes in Williams for low-income seniors. Rancho Colus is the first apartment complex built in Colusa in decades, and RHA is already eyeing another parcel for development.
“The mission of the Regional Housing Authority is to enhance the community by creating and sustaining decent, safe, and affordable living environments that foster stability and increase self- sufficiency for people with varied incomes,” said Colusa Councilwoman Denise Conrado, vice chair of the RHA Commission. “The Regional Housing Authority Commission helps to meet housing needs by providing quality, affordable, and rental housing options to families, seniors, and people with disabilities. By providing affordable housing, we also support the aspirations of households as they move toward greater stability, self-sufficiency, and long-term success.”
Colusa County Board of Supervisors Chair Denise Kalfsbeek-Smith acknowledged rural housing challenges and thanked those who helped complete the project.
“Rancho Colus would not have been possible without regional collaboration between the Regional Housing Authority, the City of Colusa, and Colusa County – and the numerous financial partners,” Kalfsbeek-Smith said. “It really is a team effort.”
About 70 dignitaries, including representatives from multiple government and lending agencies, attended the open house, which included the cutting of a ceremonial red ribbon.
Among those present were Colusa Mayor Ryan Codorniz; Supervisors Kent Boes, Merced Corona, and Janice Bell; David Morgan, representing U.S. Representative Doug LaMalfa; and Tasha Weaver, representing Senator Megan Dahle.
Former Colusa County Interim Behavioral Health Director Noel O’Neil also attended the Rancho Colus grand opening.
In the 16 months that O’Neil led the department (2021-22), while helping Colusa County recruit a permanent director, the Behavior Health Department initiated the No Place Like Home affordable housing project, reestablished the Safe Haven Wellness Center in a new permanent location and established the Bright Vista Youth Center.
Once the Regional Housing Authority secured the funding needed for the project, the Rancho Colus apartments took less than two years to complete. The apartment complex is close to Sav Mor Market, Round Table Pizza, the DMV, and other businesses.
The John Stewart Company provides property management.