“Our mission is to develop, own and manage affordable housing for low and very low income people in Thurston County, and to encourage and utilize the widest public and private participation and resources in working toward this goal.”

Homes First! is a CHDO organization.

A “CHDO” (pronounced “CHO-DOE”) is a Community-Based Housing Development Organization–a special status which the government grants to nonprofit community organizations engaged in housing development activities that benefit low and moderate income families. To become a CHDO, an organization must apply to its local city or county government (if the organization is located in an urban area), or the state (if the organization is located in a rural area). There are several significant benefits of becoming a CHDO, including access to government funding and property tax exemptions.