Self-Help Homeownership
MHO’s Self-Help Homeownership program provides families and individuals in Buncombe County with low or moderate income an opportunty to achieve the American Dream of homeownership. The program makes 
owning homes affordable by allowing families to contribute “sweat equity" construction hours to reduce the cost of their homes. A group of qualifying families work together to build their homes under the guidance of an MHO construction supervisor.
The Self-Help concept is to build the community from the ground up. Everyone works on everyone’s home, and no one moves in until everyone is ready to move in.
Once approved for the program, MHO hosts several pre-construction meetings to introduce our families to one another and acquaint them with the tools they will need for building. As part of the process, qualifying families and individuals learn financial and construction skills necessary to build and maintain their homes. It is labor intensive, but also immensely rewarding.
Our Self-Help Homeownership Program consists of single family home developmentslocated in rural areas of Buncombe County that are attractive, affordable, and as near as possible to schools, 
shopping and places of employment.
Home mortgages are arranged through the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Interest rates vary according to a family’s need and can go as low as one percent. The value of a family's labor is used as the down payment on the new home.
The Self-Help Homeownership program improves lives by building affordable homes and attractive neighborhoods.
