Where: Kenai Peninsula, Alaska
Problem: Typical self-help homeownership programs do not provide opportunities for customized home plans or program regulations for disabled applicants
Solution: RCAC helped RurAL CAP adapt its homeownership program for disabled participants

With RCAC’s guidance and technical assistance, RurAL CAP completely updated its U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Mutual Self-Help Housing program to accommodate disabled participants’ special needs. RCAC provided guidance and technical assistance to modify program procedures, house plans and overall program logistics, resulting in a new, fully handicap-accessible home for Maggie Winston of Kenai.

Ms. Winston is a mother to twin seven-year old boys. She is a full-time college student, and a quadriplegic. Her low-income and physical disabilities were barriers to homeownership she never dreamed she could surmount.

“This is the most amazing program that exists for people like me because I would not be able to become a homeowner any other way,” said Winston. “To be able to sit here and tell you that I own this beautiful home that we are in, and I can afford it, and it’s mine…it’s the most liberating feeling.”

Prior to building her own home through the RurAL CAP program, Ms. Winston and her sons lived in a group home with very little privacy. The mortgage payment on their new home is significantly less than their previous rent.

USDA Rural Development provides funding to local nonprofit agencies to implement its self-help housing program and contracts with RCAC to provide local organizations with program support, management reviews and one-on-one customized training to ensure that the housing agencies are successful. RCAC works with Alaskan agencies to strengthen all aspects of their self-help housing program from recruiting families to financial management training.