The Plumas County Board of Supervisors is considering a plan to allocate $500,000 from the Pacific Gas and Electric Co. settlement fund to support a Down Payment Assistance program. This initiative aims to address the housing crisis exacerbated by the Dixie Fire, particularly in the Greenville burn scar area. At their meeting on January 21, the supervisors expressed the need to address two main issues before fully committing to this expenditure.
Firstly, Supervisor Mimi Hall emphasized the importance of establishing a policy that outlines the priorities for using the settlement money. She acknowledged the necessity of the housing program but pointed out that the county has yet to take the necessary steps to allocate these funds effectively.
Secondly, the Board’s plan requires a $500,000 match from the Dixie Fire Collaborative (DFC) to create a $1 million fund for housing assistance. County Administrative Officer Debra Lucero proposed this collaboration, but the DFC has not yet approved the matching funds. Patrick Joseph, the coordinator for the DFC, indicated that the organization’s steering committee would discuss this proposal in their upcoming meeting on February 3.
The outcome of these discussions will determine whether the proposed housing assistance fund can move forward, potentially providing much-needed support for rebuilding efforts in Plumas County.
