Local families build own homes through Mutual Self-Help Housing and Self-Help Homes sweat equity project
Excited families and officials gathered March 7 to celebrate a groundbreaking for seven new homes to be built through the Mutual Self-Help Housing program’s sweat equity project, which is administered by Self-Help Homes.
“I cannot wait, I am so excited to start building,” said Self-Help Homes participant Chase Bosshardt. “Really, really excited.”
The families will be able to start construction within a couple of weeks as soon as the site work and foundations and footings are completed. While families supply most of the labor, subcontractors are hired for any work which requires a license.
No construction experience is required to participate in the Self-Help Homes sweat equity project.
“This program just gives us an opportunity to build our house, together,” said participant Matt Crane. He and his wife, Courtney, and their four children attended the groundbreaking.
Families participating in the program provide at least 70 percent of the labor needed to build the houses, including the framing, roofing, cabinet installation, drywall, painting, etc. The sweat equity program helps families who might not otherwise be able to afford it get into a home of their own.
Each family works on the homes at least 35 hours every week, and the houses are built as a group with everyone pitching in to do what is needed.
“They’ll be putting about 1,400 hours of sweat equity per house, and the beauty of it is nobody moves in until they’re all complete,” said Self-Help Homes executive director Brad Bishop.
The three-bedroom two-bathroom homes are situated on large lots in Toquerville and LaVerkin. Available house plans come with either an unfinished basement or an attic room.
“One of the things I like about this program is that, you know, we don’t necessarily consider it a hand-out, we consider it a hand up,” said Ryan Kocher, self help loan specialist with the USDA. “The program helps very low-income families be successful and achieve the American dream of home ownership.”
The seven new homes, three in Toquerville and four in LaVerkin, are expected to be completed by fall or early winter. Self-Help Homes also owns a 16-lot subdivision in Toquerville and is seeking more qualified families for the program.
“It’s just very exciting,” said LaVerkin City Councilwoman Patty Wise. “This is a great neighborhood to have four of these beautiful homes. It adds so much to LaVerkin.”
The Mutual Self-Help Housing program is funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development; USDA provides low-interest mortgages for the homeowners.
In Washington County, the Mutual Self-Help Housing program is administered by Self-Help Homes, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that has already overseen the construction of nearly 450 homes in Utah.
More information about how to apply or how to volunteer for the program, is available at selfhelphomes.org and Facebook or by contacting Julie Applegate at (435) 429-1048 or julie@selfhelphomes.org.
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