Mutual Self-Help Housing

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We, the undersigned, residents, community leaders, and the general public, call upon the White House and our Congress continue funding for the Section 502 Direct Loan program and the Section 523 program entirely from the FY2012 budget. These programs, working in conjunction are the best homeownership program in Rural America.

The Mutual Self-Help Housing Program, established as a path to homeownership for very-low to low-income families, utilizes a sweat equity model. It is the only federally-funded homeownership program specifically for rural America, having been in existence for over 40 years. The program is funded by USDA Rural Development, has resulted in homeownership for more than 40,000 low-income families in rural America, stimulated local economies, provided job training, and help create a deeper sense of community.

As stated by the Office of Management and Budget, "No other program combines the unique features which make the Self-Help Program a success." For lower-income families, often with very few affordable housing options, the Self-Help housing program is the only mechanism for them to become homeowners.

Currently over 100 organizations in 37 states participate in the program. The program promotes homeownership for responsible buyers, generates millions of dollars in construction work, local business income, local wages and salaries, and local and state taxes.

Keep it going in our rural communities!

2243 Signatures

  • Courtney T
  • Diane B
  • James C
  • denise b
  • Jason & Crystal D
  • Linda D
    • Comments
    • Keep this program alive! I built 21 years ago and am still in my home, without this, I would never have been able to have MY home.
  • Bobbie Anne H
  • Cindylou Shirley E
    • Comments
    • we also used this program, and would have been unable to purchase a home on our own. We feel very blessed to have been in this program.
  • Grace V
    • Comments
    • I am very greatfull for the program, I am disabled as my father who lives wth me and I have a 3 yr old daughter. With out this program I would not be able to afford a house on my own.
  • Chanel B
  • Joe D
  • Tom G
    • Comments
    • SAVE THE BEST HOUSING PROGRAM THE USA HAS!
  • Linda D
    • Comments
    • SAVE AMERICA'S BEST HOMEOWNERSHIP PROGRAM
  • Jeff C
  • Kate
  • Kate Quinlan P
  • Edward Paul Brumm J
  • Rob J
    • Comments
    • A helping hand - NOT a Hand Out !
  • Rich B
  • Jennifer L. S
    • Comments
    • pleas keep this program going!!!!!!
  • Tracyann E
  • Danielle B
  • Christi H
  • Danielle B
    • Comments
    • It is because of this program that my husband and I were able to build our own home. We would have bene renting for the rest of our lives had it not been for Self-Help Housing. Now we have a place we can be proud of and place to call home. Keep this program alive to help families like us!
  • lisa s
    • Comments
    • valuable program to help individuals to purchase a home
  • Denise T
    • Comments
    • If we lose funding for Mutual Self-Help Housing, there will be another self employed subcontractor out of work!!!
  • Ronald L H
    • Comments
    • Please keep funding self help programs. It is how we built my house and all the others on my street and also creates jobs.
  • Raymond h
  • marlana d f
  • Rosanna F
    • Comments
    • we built our house with self help prograham. people need this prograham
  • Taylor M
  • Abbey B
  • Jessica W
    • Comments
    • Please do not cut this program!!
  • Nancie B
  • Robert O
    • Comments
    • I would like to see the program continue!!
  • Judi S
    • Comments
    • fantastic program
  • Ann M
    • Comments
    • Please, leave US with something............
  • tina a
  • Brenda G. F
  • Pati I
    • Comments
    • Save Self-Help!
  • Veronica Y
  • Joyce L
    • Comments
    • Please save the SELF- Help Program
  • Elisha G
    • Comments
    • This program has helped us to become better people and a better family to rise to the occassion in our community
  • Brian H
  • Betty
  • Tracy O
  • shaylen h
  • reyes a
    • Comments
    • lets make a change
  • Marisa R
    • Comments
    • It would be extremely short-sighted to eliminate funding for this program
  • Dennis W