The USDA Self-Help Housing Program allows first-time homebuyers to purchase a home on their own with a no cash down payment. Through the program, low to very low-income homebuyers exchange hours of labor, commonly called “sweat-equity”, for a down payment on a newly constructed home. Self-Help Housing Participants work together with other families in a group sharing in all phases of their home’s construction. The labor involves all types of unskilled and semi-skilled construction activities that substantially reduce the construction costs while instilling pride in ownership. The Self-Help Housing Construction Supervisor oversees family members during construction to ensure quality, performance and building codes are followed.
Self-Help Housing Participants must be financially able to undertake a loan for materials. Credit repair/stabilization occurs with the assistance of the staff Mortgage Coordinator. Homebuyer counseling and assistance is offered to further assist families in home ownership. Self-Help plans to construct 12 homes. The first group of 3 homes started in August 2013. Move-in date on these units is expected in June 2014. Another group of homes will commence in June 2014. There is no deadline for application into this program. Interested community members are encouraged to stop by Housing for more information.
