Six families gathered in Liberal, Kan., to celebrate the completion of their newly constructed homes. The families utilized USDA Rural Development’s Self-Help Housing Program administered by the City of Liberal to help construct the homes. The family members devote time and labor to painting, roofing, siding and other types of tasks and lower the cost of construction, while developing equity in their new home.
In 2006, the City of Liberal was awarded a technical assistance grant from USDA Rural Development to begin the Self-Help Housing Program. Through the program, 30 homes have been built in Liberal. USDA Rural Development’s direct home loans have financed $3.9 million in construction for Liberal’s self-help homes.
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“It is neat to watch the families work together and bond while building the self-help homes. The children get to grow up together and they know their neighbors,” stated City of Liberal Housing and Community Development Director Karen LaFreniere. “The USDA Rural Development Self-Help Housing Program has provided families in Liberal with affordable housing that they couldn’t afford otherwise.”
USDA Rural Development Self-Help Housing Program allows families to work together in groups to build their own home. A public body, or nonprofit organization, coordinates the program including: finding building lots, developing house plans, working with contractors, coordinating materials, training participants on construction skills and supervising construction.
Families working with the Liberal Self-Help Housing Program have achieved homeownership, learned practical skills, and added modest, quality homes to the Liberal community.
To find out how USDA can help you achieve homeownership click here.
