Federal Program Helps People Build Own Homes In Biola

People pitching in to build their own homes and state and federal officials gathered in Biola Thursday morning, to kick-off celebration of National Homeownership Month.

They met at a Self-Help Enterprises subdivision on Shaw Ave. at 3rd St., where 23 families are investing ‘sweat equity’ to have a home of their own.

The US Dept. of Agriculture’s Rural Development agency is giving families the tools to build their future, utilizing their own labor as "sweat equity" to reduce construction costs. During June, National Homeownership Month, USDA Rural Development will celebrate the many successes of the Mutual Self-Help Housing program, utilized for over 40 years in California.

"Homeownership is the first big step to financial security for millions of Americans," said USDA Rural Development State Director Ben Higgins. "Our Mutual Self-Help Housing program helps bridge the affordability gap in California and provides an opportunity for families to build personal equity that transforms the options they and their children have in the future."

Self-Help Housing families spend a minimum of 40 hours per week on home construction, working with 10 to 12 other families. Typical projects take from 10 to 12 months to complete all homes in the development. Upon completion, these families have new homes in a safe and secure neighborhood where they know everyone as a result of their team effort.

"Through self-help housing, families are doing more than just building affordable homes; they are developing skills that can lead to new opportunities, and strengthening families and communities," said Higgins.

Kicking-off a month-long series of home dedications and events around the state, last week in Biola, Higgins congratulated families on their hard work, and lent a hand raising walls in the 23-home subdivision. The homes, developed with the assistance of Self-Help Enterprises (SHE) are slated for completion later this year.

SHE, based in Visalia, is one of 13 non-profit affordable housing development companies in California that works with USDA Rural Development. SHE coordinates loan applications and then trains and supervises families as they work together to build their own homes. California’s Self-Help Housing program is the largest in the nation, with annual funding totals exceeding $50 million for Self-Help projects.

Since 2001, USDA Rural Development California has provided nearly $800 million in loans and grants to help over 6,000 California families move into their own home or improve their current home.