Southeastern Utah Association of Local Governments’ Self-Help program is one of nine in Utah that utilizes the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Housing Service’s (RHS) Single Family Housing Mutual Self-Help Grants and Site Loans, including one other operated within a Regional Development Organization. Authorized by Federal housing acts in 1949 and 1965, Self-Help Grants provide programs like SEUALG’s with funds to buy tools and hire a construction supervisor, and can help fund site development and acquisition.

The Spring 2023 cohort broke ground on all six houses in Spring 2023. Over the next ten to twelve months, the cohort will learn building skills necessary to participate in everything from pouring the foundation to framing and finish work. Licensed tradespeople will be employed for elements like electricity and plumbing, and the homeowners themselves will complete about 60 percent of the construction with the help of friends, family, and community volunteers under the instruction of a general contractor.