KCC transitional housing solution:

The apprenticeship program at Klamath Community College is about to roll out temporary housing units under two separate projects that are giving its students hands-on experience in home building, while helping those in need.

The construction of small cottages is part of Gov. Tina Kotek’s housing initiative pumping millions of dollars into small home construction, or transitional housing. Once completed, the homes are sent to areas of need. In Klamath County, two such cottages and a storage shed will help families who lost their homes to the Copperfield Fire east of Chiloquin. Eight primary residences and 22 other buildings were destroyed in the 3,822-acre fire which started on Sept. 1, according to the Oregon Department of Forestry.

The home construction is funded by Team Oregon Build, which gives students the opportunity to learn construction techniques while creating a supply of transitional shelters.

At KCC, Apprenticeship Center students are putting together home kits provided by Lowe’s supply stores.

“What we do is order a pre-packaged kit from Lowe’s and the students assemble them under the guidance of professional builders we have on our staff,” said Mark Griffith, KCC apprenticeship director. Similar homes are being built at nearly all of the high schools in Klamath County. That translates into about 100 such homes being built in Klamath County this year.

“Essentially the homes are an 8- feet by 16-feet built on skids,” said Griffith. “They have a heater in them and are wired for a few electrical plugs. So, they are heated, insulated and sheet-rocked, but no plumbing.”

The idea is that once the home is in place, it will have a physical address, usually in a controlled access park which includes a paid monitor, community building with showers and a kitchen, job placement counseling, mental health, and drug addiction services. Having a physical address helps people seeking employment.

High schools participating this year include Henley, Mazama, Lost River, EagleRidge, Chiloquin and Bonanza.

At the high school level, the school instructors teach the assembly classes. At the KCC level, private industry professionals and general contractors do the teaching.

“We held a training session to train the high school instructors on how to build the sheds this year. It’s important for consistency,” Griffith said.

About 28 students are in the KCC skilled trades course, which is an introduction class to construction.

“It helps build their skills so they can enter our apprenticeship program,” Griffith said. There are 12 apprenticeship students who participate as well.

“It’s a good opportunity to help people locally who were affected by fire,” Griffith said. “It gives them a warm place to stay while they get back on their feet.”

The second project KCC is working on is part of the Klamath Basin Home Builders Association event “Build My Future” at the Klamath County Fairgrounds on Jan. 9.

It is a tiny home, an 8-foot by 24-foot RV-style home on a trailer that is partially framed at the Apprentice Center. The rest will be finished by students at the KBHBA event. It will include heating, cooling, RV-style hookups for a bathroom, toilet, and kitchenette. Once finished, the home will be raffled off with proceeds going to scholarships and event costs.

For more information about KCC and its programs, visit www.klamathcc.edu.