502 RURAL DEVELOPMENT

SELF-HELP  HOUSING

The Self Help Housing Program began in 1981 in Yuma County . It was established to provide assistance to lower income families willing & able to participate in building 65% of their own home. Individuals are prepared for home-ownership by our Counseling Training Series. Individuals are expected to commit 40 hours on Saturdays and Sundays (2 people @ 10 hours each per day).  HAC provides a Construction Supervisor to train individuals on various phases of construction.  Project is complete when all homes in a group are finished (10-13 homes per group).  The Self Help Housing Program in Yuma County is currently offered in Somerton & San Luis, AZ.  The families in Yuma County have completed 646 homes.  In 1995 HAC established a satellite office in Kingman , AZ for Self Help Housing.  The families in Kingman have completed 128 homes.

HOMEOWNERSHIP EDUCATION COUNSELING

Through funds from the Arizona Department of Housing, National Council of La Raza, Wells Fargo Bank, Bank One, and Bank of America, HAC offers the Homeownership Education Counseling Program.  The Program assists families at 80% or below the median income through out Yuma County . HAC will assist families in qualifying for loans in the private market by counseling families for up to 3 years. 

First time homebuyers who meet income and other criteria may qualify for a subsidy up to $10,000 to buydown the purchase price and closing costs.

MULTIFAMILY HOUSING

HAC manages four affordable housing complexes. Del Pueblo Apartments with 40 units is located in Somerton , AZ.   These apartments’ rents are subsidized through HUD's Section 8 Program. Colorado Street Apartments with 32 units located in Yuma , AZ and Orchid Street Apartments with 16 units located in Somerton , AZ are both USDA Section 514/516 Farm Labor Housing Complexes. Amistad Apartments with 24 units located in Somerton , AZ is a Low Income Housing Tax Credit property, funded by the Arizona Department of Commerce and Rural Development.  Families are encouraged to go through the 502 or Homeownership Education Counseling Program which will assist them in achieving homeownership.

TIMELINE & QUALIFICATION

There is an approximate waiting period of 2 years for the Self Help Housing Program for Yuma County and 2 years for Multifamily housing rentals. Waiting varies depending on availability. To qualify, individuals must be screened and meet income guidelines.  In Mohave County , there is an approximate waiting period of six (6) to twelve (12) months for the Self Help Housing Program.

The approximate waiting period for the Homeownership Education Counseling Program is six (6) months.  Due to the volume of families wanting counseling,  families typically must wait several months to obtain their first appointment to start the process.

The timeline for completion of the counseling program is approximately 17 hours.