Self Help Housing

Program Overview

The mission of Self-Help Housing is to facilitate the production of affordable housing and the development of sustainable communities throughout Fayette and surrounding counties of Ross, Greene, Clinton and Highland in Ohio We provide safe, permanent, affordable housing and supportive services for low and moderate income individuals and families.

Supportive services provided will enable individuals and families to become educated in financial fitness, predatory lending and homeownership. We are committed to livable and sustaina

ble rural communities by asserting the importance of developing safe, healthy, and adequate housing as an integral part of the community infrastructure.

We are dedicated to smart growth and the achievement of helping people obtain the American Dream of homeownership.

Services Include:

New Home Ownership Opportunities
Credit Repair & Credit Analysis
Budgeting
Financial Literacy
Homebuyer Education Classes

History

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CAC’s Self-Help Housing Program has been in operation since 1993 and has assisted over 250 families in making homeownership a reality. Homeowners qualify for a 502 mortgage with USDA, and work in teams to build their own homes. This process makes the home affordable as each family contributes at least 65% of the construction labor which equates to sweat equity. Community Action Commission oversees the program and provides technical assistance to the homeowners through the USDA 523 Self-Help Program.
The Self-Help Program provides a Loan Packager and Group Coordinator to organize the group of families, select suitable building lots and house plans, calculates eligibility for a USDA/RD 502 Loan and will assist in every step of the loan process. A construction supervisor and manager will train and work with each approved applicant, so that families who have no skill or previous building experience can participate with confidence.

We do FREE credit analysis and home buyer education for all applicants.

Eligibility Guidelines

house Applicants must have acceptable credit however, FREE credit analysis and repair is always available. We will provide you with tips and instruction on how to rebuild/repair your credit over time.

Applicants must have incomes at or below 80% of the area median income (AMI). (some deductions apply) Call for more details

Families may be eligible for a subsidy from USDA Rural Development to make their mortgage payment more affordable which includes the principal, interest, taxes and insurance. The amount of subsidy is determined by family income with payments ranging from 1% interest up to the current note rate. There is no required down payment. Repayment feasibility is determined by using ratios of repayment (gross) income to principal, interest, taxes, insurance, and to total family debt.

Loan terms are for up to 33 or 38 years.

Families will perform 65% of the construction labor on each other’s homes under qualified supervision. The savings from the reduction in labor costs allows otherwise ineligible families to own their own homes. Families move in to their new homes with an average of $25,000.00 in equity.

Please call Self Help at 740-335-1831 to get specific income limits by county.

Frequently Asked Questions