Grant Secured for Self-Help Housing Program in County

(Pictured (left to right): Jessi Millage (IAH), Jeremy Yost and son (IAH), Lindsay Keyes (USDA), Ron Zwilling (USDA), Melissa Schaefer (IAH), Craig Nielson (The Alliance) and Jack Kaufman (NCALL))

Illinois Affordable Housing (IAH) and The Effingham Regional Growth Alliance (The Alliance) have finalized the grant documents to implement a Self-Help Housing (SHH) program (http://selfhelphousingspotlight.org/) in Effingham County. The grant amount is for $109,000.00 and will be used to cover program expenses.

The grant helps fund the cost of finding and qualifying applicants as well as the supervision of the construction of four homes. The homes will be built in North Point Estates in Dieterich. Craig Nielson, President/CEO of The Alliance is excited to bring SHH to Effingham County, “This program changes lives and strengthens communities. We are looking for four families that desire home ownership and are willing to put in the hours to gain significant sweat equity and take advantage of no down payment or financing costs during construction.” The cost of the home will be about $160,000.00.

Families must meet income requirements to qualify. For example, a family of four, would need to have an adjusted household income of no more than $53,700 to qualify. The mortgage payment will be based on income with an interest rate as low as 1% over 30 or 33 years. Payments do not begin until after the home is constructed. Jeremy Yost, VP/Illinois Affordable Housing, NFP is proud that IAH received the grant from USDA and looking forward to providing affordable housing. “As an organization we are proud to partner with The Alliance and USDA. We believe in building better and stronger communities. Affordable housing is our primary mission and look forward to working with the families throughout their construction process and eventually moving into their forever home.”

Each family will help with the construction of each other’s homes, participating in 70% of the construction process. Sub-contractors will be used for electrical, plumbing, and other specialty trades.

The partnership of IAH and The Alliance will be applying for an additional grant to construct up to eight more homes once this program is underway. For more information on the program and qualifications, please call 217-345-2414 ext. 706.