What is Mutual Self-Help Housing?

Mutual Self-Help Housing provides oversight and construction supervision to families constructing their own homes with loans from USDA/Rural Development.  A group of six to eight families provides 65% of the labor to construct the homes for the entire group.

Who is eligible for the program?

    Applicants -

• who do not currently own a home.

• who meet income limits.

• with good credit.

• with available income to repay the loan.

What will a member of the Mutual Self-Help Housing Program do?

As part of the program, participants will be asked to

1. attend pre-construction meetings.
2. attend a homebuyers workshop.
3. attend a Partnering session sponsored by USDA/Rural Development.
4. help build homes working under the guidance of a construction supervisor.
5. put in the hours necessary to complete all the homes in the group.

What will UAACOG do?

UAACOG will coordinate family's and subcontractor's work schedules.  At pre-construction meetings, Self-Help staff will introduce basic construction methods, the Self-Help method, the importance of job-site safety.  Additional instruction will be given new homeowners in basic budgeting and water-smart landscaping.

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What will USDA/Rural Development do?

USDA/Rural Development's local office will determine the eligibility of applicants, provide funding/loans, and conduct the Partnering sessions.

What can loan funds be used for?

Loan funds can be used to:

• purchase a lot.
• pay tap fees.
• buy materials.
• pay for licensed skilled labor.
• pay for landscaping.

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For more information

Contact Sharon McKinsey at (719) 269-7687 ext.107 or e-mail housing@uaacog.com

Links:

Section 502 Mutual Self-Help Housing Loan program

USDA Rural Housing Service

USDA Rural Development Home Page