June 16, 2020 | Volume 13, Issue 3

A message from Suzanne Anarde, RCAC Chief Executive Officer

Mutual Self-Help Housing (MSH) is my favorite housing program … from the first time I heard about it in the early 90s, it fascinated me! MSH doesn’t just build community, neighborhoods and quality, affordable homes, it also builds confidence and stability for homeowners/builders. As a former MSH grantee in rural southeastern Colorado, it did not surprise me that in this COVID environment the families and grantees on the ground continue to work through the challenges during this time, this moment. Read more

Self-help perseveres through pandemic

Grit, commitment and unity have always been cornerstones of the self-help housing program and the families who participate. Now more than ever, these characteristics are showing through. Families are coming together while staying apart, continuing, though volunteers are not, building their own places to shelter and persevering through the pandemic. Read more

Dear Sher

Like so many other people, I suddenly find myself working from home! I know you guys do it all the time, have you got any advice for me? Read Sher’s tips

News you can use!

Automated 4-A calculator updated June 1, 2020

USDA RD has released a revised version of the 4-A Worksheet for Computing Income & Max Loan Amount Calculator dated June 1, 2020, which has been posted to the Single Family Direct Home Loan website (under the To Apply tab). The worksheet was revised to resolve errors that appeared in the income limits and area loan limits.

Section 502 income limits released for fiscal year 2020

Single Family Housing Direct Loan and Grant Programs has published updated income limits for fiscal year 2020. The fiscal year 2020 income limits for the Single Family Direct Loan and Grant Programs were published on May 4, 2020 through a Special Procedure Notice.

USDA Implements Immediate Measures to Help Rural Residents, Businesses and Communities Affected by COVID-19

USDA Rural Development has taken a number of immediate actions to help rural residents, businesses and communities affected by the COVID-19 outbreak including opportunities for immediate relief and waiving or relaxing certain parts of the Section 502 application process. View the full stakeholder announcement here.

National self-help conference session materials available

Do you want copies of a presentation you attended at the National Self-Help Housing Conference hosted in Albuquerque in February 2020? Were there two sessions you wanted to attend at the same time? Want to see what happened in the one you couldn’t attend? Presentations are available on the Self-Help Housing Spotlight website. As more presentation documents become available, the site and link will be updated to include them.