Special Partnerships & Projects

Ownership > Special Partnerships

Hartnell College Collaboration

In 2004, the City of Salinas, Hartnell Community College and CHISPA formed a partnership to offer real world on-site construction experience to students enrolled in Hartnell College’s Construction Technology Program.

Prior to this collaboration, students were limited to on-campus courses and construction of modular homes that were later moved to lots in the City of Salinas.

Through this joint venture, the City of Salinas provides vacant lots and ongoing assistance during construction by the City Public Works Department. CHISPA provides a construction superintendent to oversee the construction process, publicizes the availability of the home, processes the applications and prepares the paperwork for the sale of the home to the selected family. Hartnell College provides a construction technology instructor, and Hartnell students help with construction of the single-family homes.

Homes built through this innovative partnership are available for sale to low-income residents working or living in the City of Salinas, Applications are selected through a random drawing for processing order until a homebuyer is qualified and approved.

This collaborative partnership provides valuable training for students while at the same time providing affordable home ownership opportunities for residents of the City of Salinas.

The partners completed the first home on Acosta Street in 2006. A second home was completed in 2007 on Soto Street.

A third single-family home is scheduled to begin construction on Perez Street in the fall of 2007, with completion scheduled in 2008.