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Jerome Announces Eight Families to Build Homes via Self-Help Housing Program
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Published in House and Home on Sunday, November 23rd 2025 at 0:55 GMT by KMVT News- 🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication
- 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source
Eight Families Set to Build New Homes Through Jerome Self‑Help Housing Program
On November 23, 2025, the small community of Jerome announced that eight families will begin the construction of their first homes under a new “Self‑Help Housing” initiative. The program, backed by a mix of state funding, local foundations, and volunteer labor, is designed to give low‑income families hands‑on experience building their own houses, while keeping costs low and boosting local employment.
What the Program Looks Like
The self‑help model—widely used in other parts of the country—pairs families with local construction firms, architects, and a volunteer workforce. Participants receive a modest grant (about $10,000 per family) that covers essential materials and a set of free workshops covering basic carpentry, electrical work, and plumbing. Each family also receives a ready‑made floor plan tailored to the lot size and their specific needs, and a “builder’s manual” that walks them through each step of the construction process.
“We’re not just handing out money,” explained Program Director Maria Ortiz, who has been coordinating the effort since the program’s inception in early 2025. “We’re giving families the tools, the knowledge, and the support network they need to take a house from blueprint to living space.”
The Eight Families
The first cohort of families includes a single mother with two children, a retired couple, a young couple who just purchased their first land parcel, and a family of four who recently lost their previous home to a wildfire. All participants are drawn from Jerome’s low‑income bracket and meet the program’s eligibility criteria—annual household income under $35,000, no prior homeownership experience, and a willingness to commit to a 12‑month construction timeline.
“We’re excited to start building our own home,” said Jamal Henderson, a 42‑year‑old teacher and the family’s head. “When we first heard about the program, we were skeptical, but the support team made it clear that we’d be the ones doing the work.”
Community Involvement and Support
The program is supported by several local partners. “We’re thrilled to contribute,” said Tom Becker, owner of the nearby Becker Lumber & Supply. Becker’s shop has donated a portion of its lumber inventory, and his crew will provide on‑site guidance for the first few weeks of construction. The city of Jerome has also allocated a small grant to cover utilities and permits for each home.
Volunteers from the Jerome Community Kitchen, a local non‑profit that has been running a free cooking program for low‑income families for over a decade, are stepping in as mentors. They’ll help the families with project management, safety training, and navigating zoning laws. The city council has pledged to streamline the permitting process for the self‑help houses, reducing administrative delays.
Financial Literacy and Long‑Term Sustainability
A key element of the program is a financial literacy component. Residents will attend monthly workshops on budgeting, mortgage basics, and home maintenance. Ortiz emphasized that “building a home isn’t the end of the journey; maintaining a home is a lifelong responsibility.” Therefore, each family is matched with a local “home‑owner coach” who will visit the new home annually to provide maintenance tips and address any issues that arise.
The program also includes a “home‑ownership transition plan,” a 5‑year roadmap that outlines the steps each family will take to move from construction to full ownership. The plan covers everything from paying off any remaining construction loans to understanding homeowner’s insurance requirements.
Impact on the Local Economy
Beyond the direct benefits to the families, the Jerome Self‑Help Housing Program is expected to stimulate the local economy. According to city economic analyst Lila Kincaid, the project has already created 20 new jobs in construction and related services. “Every time a family starts building, we see a ripple effect—local suppliers get more business, volunteer time is turned into economic value, and the city’s housing stock improves without the burden of large, expensive development projects.”
Looking Ahead
If the pilot proves successful, the program aims to expand to include 30 families by the end of 2026 and to collaborate with neighboring towns that face similar housing affordability challenges. City Manager Dan Ruiz said, “This initiative is a model for sustainable, community‑driven housing solutions. We hope to replicate it elsewhere.”
As construction begins in the coming weeks, the eight families and their supporters are looking forward to turning the promise of the Self‑Help Housing Program into a tangible, livable reality. With local partners, state grants, and a clear roadmap, Jerome is turning the idea of affordable homeownership into a constructive, community‑building effort that could serve as a blueprint for other rural communities across the state.
Read the Full KMVT News Article at:
[ https://www.kmvt.com/2025/11/23/eight-families-begin-building-homes-through-jerome-self-help-housing-program/ ]
