Self-Help Housing Program

Program Description:

The Self-Help Housing program provides new home ownership opportunities for those who qualify. No experience required.

Participants work in a group setting with other households under the guidance of qualified construction supervisors who will educate each participant through the building of their home. 30 hours of labor are required each week on all the homes in a group. No one moves in until they are all complete. Very low mortgage rates (as low as 1%) and plenty of sweat equity available.

This is not a new program. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) founded the Mutual Self-Help Housing program in 1971 with the intention of providing rural low-income people the opportunity to build their own homes. As a result of this program and the hard work of the families involved, over 56,000 have moved into self-built homes nationwide.

Who is Eligible to Participate?

To be eligible for the program a household’s gross annual income must not exceed 80% of the County’s median income. A prospective household must be qualified by Southside Outreach Group for the USDA Rural Development financing. Items that will be reviewed will include such things as employment, personal debt, credit information, and the ability to pay the monthly home mortgage payment. The applicant must also be willing to contribute the required construction labor.

How Much Work is Required?

The participants will be expected to complete at least 65% of the new home construction tasks. Families will be required to work at least 30 hours per week through the course of construction.

The staff of Southside Outreach Group will educate and guide participants through all phases of construction, such as framing, hanging drywall, painting and landscaping. We will also teach other basic skills, such as budgeting, money management, and the home buying process.