Upper Arkansas Area Council of Governments to use funding for Mutual Self-Help Housing
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Colorado State Director, Crestina M. Martinez, announced a $600,000 Mutual Self-Help Technical Assistance Grant to the Upper Arkansas Area Council of Governments (UAACOG). The grant will support the construction of 19 affordable homes in Fremont, Custer, Chaffee, and Lake Counties.
Homeownership remains a cornerstone of the American Dream, providing families with long-term financial stability and the opportunity to build generational wealth. The USDA’s Mutual Self-Help Program enables participants to construct their own homes using sweat equity. “For more than a decade, we’ve partnered with the UAACOG to make sure residents in these counties have access to affordable housing,” said Martinez. “The dedication of these individuals and families is extraordinary – they commit hundreds of hours not only to building their own homes but also to acquiring valuable technical skills. The quality of the homes they construct is on par with those build by professional contractors anywhere in the state. But what is even more significant is that these participants aren’t just building homes – they’re building strong communities and a more secure future for their families.”
USDA Rural Development provides grants to qualified organizations like UAACOG to manage local self-help housing projects. These organizations guide groups of very-low- and low-income individuals and families as they work together to build their own homes in rural areas. Each participant contributes labor to the construction of their own home and the homes of others in the group.
Under the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants that expand economic opportunities, create jobs, and improve the quality of life for millions of Americans in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community facilities such as schools, public safety services, and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural, tribal and economically disadvantaged regions. For more information in Colorado, visit www.rd.usda.gov/co.