Housing tops needs survey

Reinforcing the depth and extent of the local homelessness crisis, the Butte County Department of Behavioral Health found housing assistance to be the top need during the annual Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) community input process.

Moreover, results posted online Tuesday (April 9) indicated greatest support for Simplicity Village, a proposed tiny house community in Chico for homeless seniors, among four innovative concepts under consideration.

Behavioral Health receives around a third of its funding under the state MHSA, which requires public input. The county received 201 survey responses. By a 2-to-1 margin, respondents listed housing assistance as the most-needed mental health-related program or service in the community, and most-needed program or service that would enhance wellness and recovery.

Visit tinyurl.com/ButteMHSA for the full results.