Stop Dreaming and Start Owning!
The prices of the
self-help homes have just been reduced for a quick sale!
The homes are ready to
begin the self-help work.
Once we know that you will qualify for a loan, you pick
out your paint colors and start painting the interior.
Act soon before they’re
gone!!!
The CAC Self-Help Program provides an opportunity for families with moderate to low income to become homeowners with no down payment by completing simple tasks, such as painting, landscaping and construction clean up. The price of homes in Whitman County has made it difficult for most working families to become homeowners. Applications are being accepted for the last home on Fleming Court located in Colfax, Washington and four (4) homes that will be built in Palouse, Washington as soon as the construction loan closes.
Click Here for Frequently Asked Questions
Click Here to View Fleming Court Homes in Colfax
Click here to view Palouse View Homes in Palouse
The work for your down payment approach
The approach called "sweat equity" or "self-help" brings affordable, new homes to families with moderate and lower income. We search for an appropriate building site and purchase enough land to build the homes. Community Action Center arranges for experienced contractors to complete work that needs technical training or licenses, and teaches the homebuyers how to complete the sweat equity tasks needed to finish the homes. The contributions made by the families becomes their down payment.
- The self-help sweat equity work will include painting, landscaping, construction clean-up and miscellaneous construction tasks.
- An experienced construction supervisor will provide training and guidance to each homeowner as they complete their work.
- No previous construction experience is required.
Family Expectations and Contributions
As part of the program each family will be expected to:
- Sign and abide by the Building Group Agreement, which defines the roles, actions, and responsibilities of the Community Action Center, the building supervisor, and families.
- Provide a minimum of 50 hours per adult household member completing the assigned tasks. Most families will contribute more than the required hours in completing the tasks. For example, someone who has never painted may need to work 200 hours to paint the interior of the house while someone who has experience may only take 100 hours complete the task. Families can have friends and family help them complete the tasks, but the minimum number of hours must be met.
- Provide basic hand tools.
- Obtain a First Time Homebuyers certificate at www.mgichome.com for each adult household member.
We will help you every step of the way!
The Community Action Center will:
- Locate and obtain suitable building sites for the homes.
- Recruit and determine preliminary eligibility of potential homeowner; assist in the preparation of preliminary loan application documents for submission to USDA.
- Provide house plans which have been approved by the lender, city, and meet the immediate needs of the applicant(s).
- Direct and supervise construction on all houses.
- Teach skills to the homeowners as necessary to enable them to complete their self-help portion of the home according to the plans and specifications and within the allowed budgets.
- Make contracts for services and purchase materials in accordance with plans and specifications.
Who is Eligible?
Income includes the gross income of all members of the family. All support payments, benefit payments and interest income must be included. Income eligibility limits for beginning July 1, 2011:
| Household Size | 1 Person | 2 People | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| Annual Income | $34,100 | $38,950 | $43,850 | $48,700 | $52,600 |
Eligibility Requirements
- The applicants credit report must demonstrate a willingness to repay debts.
- The adult household members cannot have owned a home within the last 3 years.
- The total indebtedness secured by the home may not exceed 100% of the appraised value of the property.
- The borrowers income to debt ratios may not exceed 33% for housing debt payments, taxes, and insurance or 41% for total debt.
For more information call Sandy or Dale at: 509-334-9147 Toll Free: 1-800-482-3991 Fax: 509-334-9105 Email: sandym@cacwhitman.com or dalem@cacwhitman.com
Phase III Home Purchasing Project in Uniontown or Colton
Community Action Center is now in the planning stages of building four new homes similar to the homes at Palouse View that will be available in Uniontown or Colton, Washington. If you think you might be interested in the Phase III homes, please contact us.
Click here to view Palouse View Homes in Palouse
Click here to view Fleming Court Homes in Colfax
Click here for Frequently Asked Questions
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Return this form to:
Self-Help Program Community Action Center 350 SE Fairmont Road Pullman WA 99163
