At a time when the prospect of families in the low income category being able to

afford getting into the housing market, the Self Help Housing Program is one of the few bright stops that make home ownership possible.

Ten years ago I applied for the Self Help Housing Program administered by Housing Hope and was fortunate to be accepted. I was a single woman and had been working full-time since I graduated from college in 1973. Even with a college degree I still was not earning enough to be able to afford a home of my own. I had been renting for a very long time. I heard about the program from a relative and thought it might be the answer to me.

My house was completed in August of 1997. It was an incredible experience. My group of eight families was very motivated and we completed the eight houses in a little over seven months. I learned so much about myself during that time, it really strengthened my relationship with my family as we worked together every week to build the houses.  I learned how a house is built, and built great relationships with the other families in our group. The work was hard but I think it made me appreciate my home even more.  I was able to refinance my house a few years ago and now

have a conventional mortgage, which was a goal of mine and is a goal of the Program.

The Self Help Housing Program is invaluable in giving low income families the opportunity to take advantage of the American Dream of home ownership. Home ownership would not have been possible for me with out the Program. I hope that our Senators and Representative recognize the value of this Program and that funding will NOT be cut. With the housing prices today it is even more important to fully fund this amazing Program so that home ownership is available to all Americans.