By Stan Keasling, RCAC chief executive officer

50 Years/50,000 Homes

What a great year for Self-Help Housing! I hope you all have had great celebrations during homeownership month. We have enjoyed working with all of you to build the Mutual Self-Help Housing Program’s national image. I was fortunate to attend the celebration sponsored by Self-Help Enterprises. Congressman David Valadao and Rural Housing Service Administrator, Tony Hernandez, also attended. The congressman is a strong Rural Housing Programs’ supporter. I hope you all are using the banners and the self-help logo that were developed specifically to celebrate this year! Plan to buy commemorative posters at the national conference in San Antonio!

We had a good week in the House Appropriations Subcommittee this past week. The subcommittee approved $27.5 million for self-help housing, which is $17.5 million more than the administration’s request. The subcommittee also continued the Section 502 direct program at the $900 million level.

I am looking forward to seeing many of you at the national conference in San Antonio in July. It should be a great time and a great opportunity to network with your peers, interact with Rural Development staff and participate in some formal training.