Outline of Need:

Alisha Balzum and Joseph Bailes were tired of moving from place to place and putting their money into rent.  They wanted to provide a safe and stable environment to raise their three small children.  After months of looking for a home, a friend of Alisha’s, also helped by USDA Rural Development, told her about Rural Development’s housing program.

How Rural Development Helped:

Thanks to 100 percent financing and available funding via the USDA Rural Development Direct Housing loan program, the family was able to purchase an Eid-Co high quality Montclair Energy Star home that promotes energy savings.

The Results:

Affordability was a key factor in the couple’s decision to move forward with building a new home. The success and pride associated with the ability to build a home exemplifies how homeownership can play an integral part in building and maintaining rural communities throughout rural North Dakota making communities, such as Mapleton, a viable place to live and raise families.

“It’s our home,” said Balzum.  “None of this would have been possible without the help of USDA Rural Development.”