When Jaci Velder applied to participate in the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development Mutual Self-Help (MSH) Housing Program through the Upper Arkansas Area Council of Governments (UAACOG), she was hoping for something simple: a safe and affordable place to call home in Florence, Colorado. She never imagined that her journey to homeownership would strengthen her relationship with her grandfather and begin a new chapter in her personal life as Mrs. Gibson.

Local non-profit organizations administer the MSH program using technical assistance grants from USDA Rural Development. Organizations like the UAACOG guide groups of individuals and families through the construction process working together to build one another’s homes. Upon completion, the homes are financed through the USDA Rural Development Direct Home Loan Program. Participants contribute sweat equity and in return, they receive the benefit of reduced construction costs, no down payment, affordable financing, and home equity.

Jaci applied for the program in Florence and joined a group of six families called the Anonymous 6. Working in tandem with her fellow homeowners, she poured hours into each home, knowing that when the time came to work on her own home, they would do the same.

It took over two years from the application process to complete her home. She worked every day after work and weekends totaling over 430 hours in sweat equity. She’s grateful for her relationship with her grandparents, Lois and Danny Goodall, and the help they both provided. She cherishes the time she spent with them in learning new skills. She never imagined she could install cabinets and countertops, paint and install trim work, and blow attic insulation, but she did.

During this time, she even managed to plan a wedding to Tyler, who currently serves in the U.S. Army, and a brief honeymoon to North Carolina before his deployment to Korea. The couple is also so grateful to her grandfather for continuing to put in the hours on site while the two were away.

Tyler also worked on the homes in the group until he was deployed in August 2025. Jaci said it was hard to keep him involved during his absence and the 16-hour time difference didn’t help, either. But she did send him a lot of pictures and videos, so he was able to be there in spirit.

In January of 2026, she was finally able to move into her new three-bedroom home. While having a home to decorate and host family and friends is exciting, moving in was somewhat bittersweet for Jaci, because Tyler wasn’t ablet to share the moment in person. However, Jaci was so thankful during this time knowing that Tyler’s mind was at ease because he knew she was safe at home in their brand-new house. She anxiously awaited his return and luckily, it wasn’t a long wait, Tyler returned home in February.  

The couple is now able to finally settle into their home as a married couple. Tyler continues his service to our country and Jaci continues working at the Women, Infants, and Children in Fremont County as a Nutrition Educator. And they have their Great Pyrenees/golden retriever dog Oakley to help keep them company while at home. Congratulations to this couple for the hard work they did to make their dream of homeownership a reality. Here’s to a long life of building cherished memories as a married couple.