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grolfe
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Posted: Thu Jun 11th, 2009 04:07 pm |
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By Glenn Rolfe
Leader & State Register
LAUREL – Excitement is building.
It was last Thursday at Manchester Manor – a subdivision in Laurel where 10 first-time homeowners are working side-by-side with neighbors to build their future homes through a Self-Help Housing project.
In observance of National Homeownership Month, USDA Rural Development Under Secretary Dallas Tonsager on June 4 joined various governmental officials, homeowners and volunteers – many of whom pitched in to help with framing, painting and insulation installation.
This project, managed by the non-profit Milford Housing Development Corporation, is funded by USDA Rural Development, with an estimated investment of $2 million.
“Across this nation, our homeownership program has enjoyed great success, but we will not rest on past accomplishments,” said Mr. Tonsager, asked by President Barack Obama and Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack to serve as Under Secretary for USDA Rural Development and its mission to improving the quality of life in rural America. “President Obama has made homeownership a cornerstone of his economic recovery plan by taking decisive action to protect the homes of existing owners and to provide opportunities for all Americans seeking to buy their first home.”
Construction on the first group of homes at Manchester Manor began last September and some are just about complete. However, no one in the group moves in until all are homes are finished.
Julie Maisch, a single mother of three from Seaford, is one of the grateful homeowners. She said renting was not a viable option and MHDC’s Self-Help Housing program and USDA Rural Development was the answer.
“If it wasn’t for you, we wouldn’t have this wonderful opportunity,” said Ms. Maisch. “I’d like to thank my family and friends and volunteers for all of the hard work, but most of all my fellow homeowners and future neighbors for all of the blood, sweat and tears we shared and a place for all of us to call home.”
Under the Self-Help Housing program families whose head of household traditionally have full-time jobs work nights and weekends in building their homes. With assistance and guidance from construction professionals, families contribute “sweat equity” labor – equivalent to about $44,000 in mortgage savings.
“Homeownership is at the heart of the American Dream. It is not to be taken lightly,” said MHDC president/CEO David Moore. “We are as concerned about the housing crisis as anyone.”
The celebration highlighted the need to preserve homeownership and importance of reducing energy consumption.
All homes at Manchester Manor will be Energy Star rate and the average cost is $173,000.
News Editor Glenn Rolfe can be reached at 629-5505 or grolfe@newszap.com.
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