Last week those participating in a United States Department of Agriculture housing program that is being managed by the Southeastern Utah Association of Local Governments raised the first wall on one of the homes that are being constructed. It was a big step for the people involved in realizing their dreams of home ownership.

There has been a USDA program that for years was used to help income qualified families put sweat equity into existing distressed properties by not only fixing them up, but updating them and making the neighborhood a better place to live. That program has now grown into one that also allows people in that same category to build new houses as well.

“Because of the limited number of homes for sale in our current housing market we are being guided to offer new ground up construction. We will continue to do housing rehabs, but we have found it is time to enter into this program,” said Barbara Fausett who administers the USDA Self Help and Housing Rehab Programs at SEUALG. “The contract we have with USDA has now been amended so that we can offer new construction as well. The support for those approved will include the cost of the lot and materials to build a brand new home with zero down, no origination fee or mortgage insurance premiums which saves the applicants close to 2 percent on their closing costs.”

A second home that is going up across the street has its foundation in and walls will soon be going up there too. A total of four houses are included in the present project, but future developments are planned.

Fausett said the participant and any volunteers will put in the sweat equity on the home as it is constructed, earning equity at completion.

Interested parties can contact Barbara Fausett at 435-613-0026 or email her at bfausett@seualg.utah.gov.