Prescott, Arizona — Yavapai College celebrated the announcement of student and workforce housing at the Verde Valley Campus in Clarkdale during a public ribbon-cutting event on Wed. Sep. 16. 

“Across Yavapai County, housing has become one of the defining challenges facing our communities,” Yavapai College Acting President Dr. Doug Berry said. “The county’s recent housing assessment estimates that roughly 21,500 additional homes will be needed by 2040. Attainable housing affects not only families and employees, but our community’s ability to provide basic public services such as police, fire, health care, and schools—including Yavapai College.” 

Yavapai College Chief Operating Officer Dr. Clint Ewell said that “Our vision was not simply to build housing for employees and students. It was to ask whether Yavapai College could test and demonstrate attainable housing ideas that might be useful to the broader community.” 

Dr. Ewell shared that for some students and employees, the most attainable path to housing may be an RV. A good used travel trailer can often be purchased for $30,000 or less, making this an option for some workers and students who might otherwise struggle to find a place they can afford. He also shared that the tiny homes were built by YC construction students. 

“Most construction programs give students hands-on experience by working on a mocked-up section of a house, but everything the students build during the semester is disassembled at the end of the class,” Dr. Ewell said. “At Yavapai College, our students learn carpentry, electrical, plumbing skills as they build an actual home that someone will live in. 

Because the work was integrated into our instructional programs, we were able to produce these homes for a fraction of what comparable construction would have cost.  

This is Yavapai College at our best: helping students gain the skills they need for living wage careers while engaging with the community to solve real-world problems.” 

Yavapai College Executive Director of Facilities James Crockett thanked their partners at the Town of Clarkdale, as well as Civiltec Engineering, Smithgroup, FrameTec, MTAI Architects, Fann Contracting, MWM Contractors, R.E. Sons Landscaping, Sunland Paving, American Fence, and APS.

“I also want to recognize our own Yavapai College teams—Facilities, ITS, Property Management, and the many other employees who helped move this project from plans and infrastructure to an operating residential community, Crockett said. “On behalf of Yavapai College Facilities, thank you for helping us build not simply housing, but opportunity.”

Yavapai College operates seven campuses and centers throughout Yavapai County and offers more than 100 degrees and certificates, six baccalaureate degrees, student and community services, and cultural events and activities. To learn more about Yavapai College, visit www.yc.edu.