If you are interested in building a new home or purchasing an existing home, we can help!  Our housing counselor will explain the three program options in detail so you can make an informed decision.  The three programs we offer are Self-Help, New Homes, and Market Rate.

For information about any single family housing program, contact Jairo Mercado at 828-692-4744 ext. 108.

You can help build your new home with the Self-Help program. In the Self-Help program, groups of families or individuals work together, along with skilled contractors, to build each others’ homes.  Don’t worry if you have never held a hammer before because the highly technical and specialized jobs will be performed by construction professionals.  You will participate in a variety of less-technical jobs that you will be taught how to do.

The Self-Help program was started in 1971 by the United States Department of Agriculture and over 35,000 homes have been constructed as a result of the program. Clients of Housing Assistance have built 110 homes in Henderson County and your home could be the next home!

Eligibility Requirements

Eligible applicants must have a household income at or below 80% of Henderson County’s USDA Rural Development area median income limits.  To determine current income eligibility limits, please contact our housing counselor.  Prospective applicants must also qualify for a mortgage loan. Don’t worry if you have never applied for a loan before – our housing counselor will guide you through the process.

In the New Homes program you can purchase a home with little to no labor contribution required on your part. Homes remain affordable with a combination of subsidy that may include up to $25,000 of mortgage assistance. Our housing counselor will inform you if the lot you are considering requires a labor contribution.

Homes are built by Housing Assistance and incorporate energy efficient measures that meet Energy Star guidelines. Your house will also be certified with the North Carolina Healthy Built Homes program.

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for the program, your household annual income (income before taxes) must not exceed 80% of the county’s area HUD income limits. You must also be qualified by the Housing Assistance Corporation for the New Homes second mortgage through the North Carolina Housing Finance Agency. The terms of the New Homes second mortgage include:

• Zero percent (0%) interest
• Deferred payment
• Non-forgivable with a term equal to length of first mortgage

Are you are looking for an affordable house and have you discovered you are over the income limit for our Self-Help or New Homes programs?  If this sounds like your situation, our Market Rate houses could be the solution.

The homes we build for sale on the open market are very similar, if not identical, to the homes in our other housing programs.  Most of our homes have three bedrooms and two bathrooms and are approximately 1,300 square feet.

Eligibility Requirements

Our Market Rate homes are available to purchase by any qualified buyer, regardless of income.  Buyers of our Market Rate homes must secure financing and are not eligible for special loan products that are available to buyers of our Self-Help and New Homes products.