The Mutual Self-Help Housing Program is a USDA/Rural Development program sponsored by Northwest Regional Housing Authority. The program helps low-income participants achieve the dream of home ownership through "sweat equity." Six to eight participants work together with a construction supervisor to build their homes. The program takes about 7 to 8 months and the participants complete their homes simultaneously; no one moves in until all the homes in the group are completed.  The labor contribution provides equity in the home the day you move in.

What is Mutual Self-Help (MSH) housing and what does it mean to me?

The MSH housing program is about offering home ownership to first time homebuyers with limited income in a very unique way. It does not waive the requirement for good credit, stable income, and the ability and willingness to meet your future debt payments including a home loan payment. In that way it really is no different than the home home loan that you might apply for just about anywhere else. However, there are two unique features that make it different, and for some more attainable than other home loans. Participation in the building of your home and your neighbor's home as part of a Building Group (no building experience necessary) is one of the unique features. The other unique feature has to do with your home loan payment. Your home loan payment is generally lower than other home loan payments as it is based on your income and not the current interest rate as determined by the market! Some rates are as low as 1%; others may be at or near market rate. The lender in this case is the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Housing Service. We will help you understand all about the home buying process while asking your help in putting together a home loan package which we submit on your behalf to USDA. Before you close on your home loan, we begin training to familiarize you with the loan paperwork, accounting processes during construction of your home, and the construction process itself.

How to participate:
NWRHA is now recruiting for the Mutual Self Help Program. For more information or an application, contact Northwest Regional Housing Authority at 870-741-5522, Email:selfhelphousing@windstream.net

You must be willing to live in any of the following counties: Boone, Carroll, Newton, Searcy, Marion.

To participate in the Mutual Self-Help Program, you must be willing to work in your spare time for approximately 7 to 8 months.

There is no cost to participate in the program. The only up-front cost is the purchase of a Builders Risk Insurance Policy while under construction.