How It Works
From First Contact to Affordable Housing at Scale for Every Community Member.
CHEA's engagement model, administered by Non-Profit Construction Corporation, is designed to move quickly and reduce administrative burden at every stage.
A Five-Stage Engagement Model
Every CHEA engagement follows the same proven five-stage methodology — administered by NPC and adapted to your jurisdiction's specific context, but grounded in a framework built around factory-built housing production.
Our Flagship Program
Direct Access to Factory-Built Housing — For Governments, Organizations, and Individual Residents
CHEA's standardized agreement model is non-contingent — organizations, municipalities, and individual residents do not have to wait for a county program to launch.
Local Governments & County-Led Programs
Cities and counties engage CHEA to design and administer factory-built housing programs that serve their communities at scale.
Non-Profits & Community Organizations
Non-profit developers and community organizations can enter a CHEA standard agreement independently.
Individual Residents via Private Financing
Community members who are eligible for private financing can gain the same direct access to factory-built housing through CHEA's standardized agreement.
Program Use Cases
- Single-family homeownership
- Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)
- Hardship housing for seniors and disabled individuals
- Disaster recovery and emergency replacement housing
- Non-profit and community-led affordable housing projects
- County and municipal housing element programs
By removing the contingency on government program availability, CHEA increases attainable homeownership across every pathway.
Stage One
Typical Duration: 2–4 Weeks
Needs Assessment & Factory-Built Feasibility
Understanding Your Housing Landscape and Site Conditions
Every engagement begins with a structured needs assessment.
This stage produces a clear feasibility picture.
Stage Deliverables
- Housing needs and gap analysis
- Factory-built housing site feasibility assessment
- RHNA compliance status review
- Recommended program and producer framework
Stage Two
Typical Duration: 1–2 Weeks
Standard Agreement Execution
Establishing the Legal and Producer Framework
Once a program approach is selected, CHEA executes its proprietary standard agreement.
The standard agreement is the foundation of the CHEA program model.
Stage Deliverables
- Executed standard program agreement
- Defined roles and responsibilities
- Compliance and reporting framework
- Program performance benchmarks
Stage Three
Typical Duration: 3–6 Weeks
Program Design & Customization
Tailoring the Factory-Built Housing Framework to Your Community
CHEA's program frameworks are pre-designed — but every community is different.
This includes selecting the appropriate factory-built housing producer from CHEA's agreement network.
Stage Deliverables
- Customized program design document
- Producer selection and unit specifications
- Financing structure and CDFI partner coordination
- Eligibility criteria, income targeting, and program documentation
Stage Four
Typical Duration: 4–8 Weeks
Program Launch & Implementation
Activating the Program and Coordinating Producer Delivery
CHEA manages the program launch — coordinating with jurisdiction staff and producers.
Our team provides hands-on implementation support.
Stage Deliverables
- Program launch coordination
- Producer delivery logistics and scheduling
- Stakeholder onboarding and staff training
- Application processing systems and initial activity reporting
Stage Five
Typical Duration: Months 1–24
Building Toward Local Independence
The Goal Is a Framework You Own — Not One You Depend On
CHEA's standard agreements run for two years. Within that period — typically by month 18 — the goal is a fully operational, locally-managed housing framework that the jurisdiction controls independently.
We measure success by how little you need us. Jurisdictions that want to continue the partnership can establish a renewal agreement, but the program is designed so that option is a choice, not a necessity.
Stage Deliverables
- 18-month local independence milestone review
- Staff and stakeholder capacity-building support
- Compliance and regulatory documentation transfer
- Optional renewal agreement for continued partnership
Why the Timing Matters
Federal and State Law Are Opening New Doors for Factory-Built Housing
The 21st Century Road to Housing Act and recent HUD code updates directly affect what CHEA programs can deliver and how quickly. The Act enables urban communities to utilize factory-built housing for infill projects — higher density with a smaller footprint — while removing restrictive barriers in rural areas so families can build more traditional two-story homes. Expanded GSE programs mean more buyers qualify. California's RHNA mandates create urgency for jurisdictions to act.
Common Questions
What to Expect When Working with CHEA
How long does it take to launch a factory-built housing program?
Most CHEA programs can be launched within 60–90 days of executing the standard agreement with NPC.
What factory-built housing producers does CHEA work with?
NPC holds standard agreements on behalf of CHEA with the nation's largest factory-built and manufactured home producers, including major West Coast manufacturers.
Does a government program need to exist before a resident or organization can participate?
No. CHEA's model is non-contingent. Individual residents with private financing, non-profit organizations, and community developers can all enter a CHEA standard agreement with NPC independently.
What types of housing does CHEA's program cover?
CHEA programs support single-family homeownership, ADUs, hardship housing, and disaster recovery housing — in addition to larger jurisdiction-led affordable housing programs.
Does CHEA work with non-profit developers directly?
Yes. Non-profit developers can engage NPC directly to access CHEA producer agreements, program structures, and CDFI financing partner network.
How is CHEA compensated?
CHEA's compensation structure is defined in the standard agreement and varies by program type and scope. NPC does not bill by the hour.
Start the Conversation Today
The first step is a no-obligation consultation to assess your housing needs and identify the right CHEA program framework.