About

Eastern Sierra Community Housing supports workforce housing for a viable economy and a sustainable community.

Eastern Sierra Community Housing (ESCH), has spearheaded a workforce housing development program targeted at tackling one of the toughest issues facing Sierra communities today. The private, not-for-profit, organization was established in 2003 and has made significant progress toward mitigating the affordable housing problem that exists in the community.

Since its inception, the organization has turned its initial start-up funds of $210,000, into nearly $62 million in grants, bonds, and tax credits for workforce housing and directly created 130 rental and ownership homes within the Town of Mammoth Lakes. Through home buyer assistance programs in Mono County, the Town of Mammoth Lakes, and the City of Bishop, the organization has assisted 125 (as of Feb. 2019) households purchase safe, affordable housing. Among other services, ESCH provides stewardship of 50+ community land trust ownership homes.

Positive Impacts of Workforce Housing

The organization now includes a four full-time staff and a nine-member Board of Directors which actively work to fulfill their mission to support workforce housing for a viable local economy and a sustainable community. Through collaborative public/private partnerships with local jurisdictions and for-profit resort and housing developers, ESCH is increasing the supply of housing that is affordable to the Eastern Sierra’s workforce and families.

ESCH has been successful in providing housing through a variety of programs. Utilizing state, federal, and local funding sources Eastern Sierra Community Housing has developed and/or rehabilitated nearly 200 homes in the region. ESCH currently operates a down payment assistance program to help homebuyers into homeownership. Recently, the organization purchased a commercial building with the intention of converting it into an affordable rental development.

ESCH has worked closely with the Town of Mammoth Lakes to implement the Housing Element and the housing requirements of the Town’s Municipal Code. This contractual relationship has effectively secured a grant and other funding, developed a more effective deed restriction program, and spurred the development of affordable units to meet the Regional Housing Needs, determined by the California Department of Housing and Community Development.