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Self help program now accepting applications for Polk County project

COLUMBUS—Polk County residents have an opportunity soon to help build their own home to save money. 

The Housing Assistance Corporation is now accepting applications for the Self Help Program, where groups of 4 qualifying families work to build their homes under the guidance of a construction supervisor. 

Polk County’s project is in Columbus at the intersection of Highway 108 and Houston Road. 

The project helps families save money and earn sweat equity by completing 65 percent of the labor. No construction experience is required. 

Housing Assistance Corporation Housing Counselor Crystal Watkins said the Columbus project will be 4 homes at a time with the corporation having a total of 20 homes proposed to be built. 

The property is some that Conserving Carolina purchased a few years ago and gave to the corporation for affordable housing. 

The homes are 3-4 bedrooms for moderately low-income families with loans coming through the USDA. 

“The clients are doing 65 percent of the work on the home along side our construction team and start and finish with their group, working on each others’ homes as well,” Watkins said. 

Watkins said no construction experience is required and people are not required to do anything they are not physically capable of. 

There are Zoom meetings planned to learn more about the program. The meetings are on Dec. 15 at noon, Jan. 7 at 5:30 p.m. and Jan. 18 at noon. 

To reserve a spot for the question and answer session or to apply, contact Watkins at 828-692-4744 ext. 108 or crystal@housing-assistance.com.