COMMUNITY ACTION TEAM’S
MUTUAL SELF-HELP
HOUSING PROGRAM
Owning a home doesn’t have to be just a dream
Build to Own Self-Help Housing - Scappoose
ANSWERS TO MOST COMMON QUESTIONS
Community Action Team, Inc.
125 N. 17th Street
St Helens, OR 97051
Casey Mitchell
503-366-6550
Is your income less than the following amount?
# in |
Columbia |
Clatsop |
Tillamook |
1 |
$39,920 |
$31,760 |
$28,560 |
2 |
$45,600 |
$36,240 |
$32,640 |
3 |
$51,280 |
$40,800 |
$36,720 |
4 |
$56,960 |
$45,280 |
$40,800 |
5 |
$61,520 |
$48,960 |
$44,080 |
6 |
$66,080 |
$52,560 |
$47,360 |
7 |
$70,640 |
$56,160 |
$50,640 |
8 |
$75,200 |
$59,840 |
$53,920 |
Do you have reasonably good credit?
- Bankruptcy OK if over 3 years; may be ok if more recent with good credit score
- Foreclosure OK if over 3 years
- Write offs OK if over 3 years or paid in full 12 months ago
- Judgments OK if paid off 12 months ago
- Collection accounts OK if paid off 6 months ago or making regular payments for 6 months
- No more than 2 late payments in the last 12 months
Where? Columbia, Clatsop, andTillamook County
Group #1: N. 10th & Deer Island Rd.
Group #2: Raven Wood Court
Group #3: Scappoose
Group #4: Seaside
When?
Group #1: Summer 2002
Group #2: 2005-2006
Group #3: Summer 2010
Group #4: 2010-11
When are the houses built?
Since most of the families in a Self Help home building program work during the day in their regular jobs, most of the work on the houses is done on weekends, early evenings, or 7 days a week. Schedule varies according to climate.
Who can qualify for Self Help housing?
Individuals and families who cannot afford to build modest houses by customary methods. They must have good credit and have an ability to repay a loan. The income requirements depend upon the size of the household.
How will planning and building be done?
Generally, 4 to 10 families make up a Self Help Housing building group. CAT helps the participant’s form an informal association and the participants agree to help each other build their houses.
What size are the houses?
There are 3 and 4 bedroom houses. They range from 1,104 to 1,314 square feet plus an attached 1 & 2-car garage.
How many hours does each family contribute?
30 – 35 hours per week. The family hours include the labor of the applicant, co-applicant, friends and relatives. The participants must also attend all group meetings.
Do you need a down payment?
NO DOWNPAYMENT!!! To begin the screening process, a credit check is required.
- $25 for a single person
- $34 for a married couple
- $50 for 2 single people
What tools will I need?
A list will be made available of the tools you will need to purchase. Large power tools will be rented.
Do you have to make monthly house payments while your house is being built?
No. Monthly payments will generally begin one month after Final Inspection ofthe house or one year after the loan is closed.
Does the house have to be finished before moving in?
Yes, all of the house in the group must be entirely completed and inspected by Rural Development before any participant moves in.
Who provides the loan money for the land, construction materials and any subcontracting?
USDA – Rural Development (formerly known as the Farmers Home Administration (FmHA).
Can I afford the monthly payments?
Rural Development will subsidize the payments, according to your income so that all eligible borrowers can afford to pay the mortgage payments. This is known as Payment Assistance. Rural Development will review all household income every year to calculate your monthly payment, as long as you receive Payment Assistance.
When you are making enough money, you will no longer receive Payment Assistance. At that time, Rural Development may ask you to refinance. If you are unable to get such a loan at a bank or mortgage institution, Rural Development will allow you to stay in the program, making full house payments with no assistance.
What are the terms of a Rural Development Self Help loan?
The loans are up to 33 years and under some circumstances 38 years. The borrower will assume the current interest rate at the time of approval or loan closing.
Where does one apply?
Just call: 800-404-3511
503-325-8098
503-366-6553
Ask for: Casey Mitchell
125 N. 17th Street
St. Helens, OR 97051
Community Action Team (CAT) provides the following technical assistance:
- Develop suitable building sites.
- Prepare applications for Rural Development
- Explain the Self-Help program, subjects related to home ownership, taxes and insurance.
- Provide house plans.
- Prepare application for building permits and order building inspections.
- Obtain cost estimates for construction materials, order materials and contract subcontractors needed to build the homes.
- Supervise and train families in the proper construction techniques and throughout the construction process
- Pay the bills for the families, which are related to the construction of the home and maintain funds for Rural Development and family.
In accordance with the Federal Law and USDA policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, political beliefs, or disability.
To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.