What does this program do?
Provides grants to qualified organizations to help them carry out local self-help housing construction projects. Grant recipients supervise groups of very-low- and low-income individuals and families as they construct their own homes in rural areas. The group members provide most of the construction labor on each other’s homes, with technical assistance from the organization overseeing the project.
Who may apply for this program?
Eligible applicants include:
- Government non-profit organizations
- Federally-recognized Tribes
- Private non-profit organizations
What is an eligible rural area?
Utilizing the USDA Eligibility Site you can enter a specific address for determination or just search the map to review general eligible areas.
How may funds be used?
- Give technical and supervisory assistance to participating families
- Help other organizations provide self-help technical and supervisory assistance
- Recruit families, help them complete loan applications and carry out other related activities that enable them to participate
Funds MAY NOT be used to:
- Hire people to perform construction work for participants
- Buy real estate, building materials or other property
- Pay debts, expenses or costs for the participants
- Pay other indirect costs
How do we get started?
Applications for this program are accepted through our local offices year round.
Who can answer questions?
Contact your local office.
What governs this program?
- The Housing Act of 1949 as amended, 7 CFR 1944-I
- Agency Instruction – 1944-I
Why does USDA Rural Development do this?
By working in partnership with trusted local organizations, this program helps very-low- and low-income families get affordable, clean and safe homes of their own in rural areas. Very-low-income families living in substandard housing are given first priority for loan assistance.
NOTE: Because citations and other information may be subject to change please always consult the program instructions listed in the section above titled "What Law Governs this Program?" You may also contact your local office for assistance.
NOTE: If state specific forms are not shown above, please ensure that your state is selected in the dropdown menu above to find the State Office contact information and speak to a Housing Programs Specialist before attempting to fill out any forms or applications. This will save you valuable time in your application.
Application Forms
Post Award Forms
There are no other additional requirements at the national level. If there are additional state-specific requirements they will be listed above.
Centralized Servicing Center; St. Louis, Missouri:
- Customers and third-party callers with general account questions: 800-414-1226
- Delinquent customers or those who may require counseling with regards to servicing options: 800-793-8861
For information regarding Rural Housing Programs in Ohio, please contact:
Lead Single Family Direct Specialist:
Mark Gideon
PHONE: 614-255-2402
EMAIL: mark.gideon@usda.gov
Additional Ohio Rural Housing Program contacts:
Director: Christie Hooks
PHONE: 614-255-2401
EMAIL: christie.hooks@usda.gov
Servicing: Deanna Van Meter
PHONE: 614-255-2516
EMAIL: deanna.vanmeter@usda.gov
Findlay Area Office
Area Director: Ann Stahl
PHONE: 419-581-4503
EMAIL: ann.stahl@usda.gov
Hillsboro Area Office
Area Director: Ashley Kelly
PHONE: 937-393-1921, extension 127
EMAIL: ashley.kelly@usda.gov
Marietta Area Office
Area Director: Brent Warren
PHONE: 740-885-3303
EMAIL: brent.warren@usda.gov
Massillon Area Office
Area Director: John Miller
PHONE: 330-481-2215
EMAIL: john.miller@usda.gov
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