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Outline of Need:
Matt and Rylee Reid had been married two years, had one little girl with another baby on the way and no hope of qualifying for a home loan for several years. Then Rylee heard about a government program that would help people get into a home of their own, but no one seemed to know any details. Rylee just opened the phone book and started calling down the list of Government Agencies until she found USDA Rural Development.
When the Reid family learned about the Self-Help Program they knew it was for them. Matt was an electrician with a little construction experience, "on barns." Though he had never built a house they were positive he could learn under the direction of the construction supervisor. Rylee stated, "Matt is just one of those men that can do anything. There is nothing he can't figure out, so we knew he could get that home built."
How Rural Development Helped:
"Qualifying for the low-interest Self-Help loan let us build a home that will fit our family for many years. We have the skills to maintain our home and to finish off the basement, which we are doing very slowly. And with a finished basement, we will still be able to give the kids their own room after the next baby comes."
The Reid family started building their Self Help home in September of 2000 and moved into their house in June 2001. The kids loved the lot as it was just around the corner from Saddlebrook Park.
Rylee explained that KaLee knew it was her house when they were building it. She would come down and work with the family and was very protective of anything on their lot. Once the house was done KaLee loved her room and knew it was her place, her own territory.
The Results:
Rylee said, "It was hard working with a group of people when everyone had a different idea of how things should be done. Though it was not an easy process during the construction, now the homes are done we are all friends and associate together as neighbors. All the kids play together. Building our home was hard work but I would definitely do it again."
"Through our work for the down payment, we have $50,000 in equity built up in our home after just two years. That's as exciting as having enough room for our growing family," explained Rylee.
The Reid family expressed their gratitude to Rural Development and the Self-Help Program. Rylee stated, "We would like to thank whoever is responsible for starting this program. It's a wonderful opportunity and we are very grateful for the help."
A Self Help Housing event in April 2003 in Payson, Utah, to celebrate the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding where Utah Housing Corporation and Fannie Mae will partner their funding of the Rural Utah Self-Built Homes (Utilities Programs) Program with Rural Development's Self Help Housing Program to increase funding in Utah. Pictured L to R, front row: Michael T. Hernandez, Fannie Mae Vice President; Self Help participant Rylee Reid and 2 daughters; Gilbert Gonzalez, Rural Development Deputy Under Secretary; Fremont Woodward, Construction Supervisor. Back row: Jeffrey Bennion, Utah Fannie Mae Director; Arthur Garcia, Administrator of Rural Development's Housing Programs; John Cox, Rural Development Utah State Director; Brad Bishop, Director, Rural Housing Development Corporation; Bernell Evans, Payson City Mayor.
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