HUD Secretary's Best in American Living Award Winners 1998

Sales Price of Unit Entered: $106,925

Median Home Price in the Metropolitan Statistical Area: $190,000

Description: Spring Meadows is a 71-unit development of single-family detached homes which was completed through the self-help building process. Under close supervision, groups of ten families worked together in the construction of their homes and, therefore, were able to significantly reduce their costs. The families did most of the construction work, with the exception of plumbing, stucco, and electrical work.

The homes in Spring Meadows feature vaulted ceilings, large kitchens, fireplaces, air conditioning, two-car garages, and beautifully landscaped yards. The energy efficient homes are available in three-, four-, and five-bedroom models.

The nonprofit developer collaborated with Federal, state, and local governments, as well as with private lenders, to create a financing package which was affordable to low- and very low-income families. Approximately half of the homeowners earn less than 50 percent of the area median income, and the others earn less than 80 percent. The primary mortgages, provided by the Department of Agriculture, Office of Rural Development, are adjusted to limit payments to no more than 31 percent of income.

Through the cooperation of the private sector and various government agencies, the nonprofit developer was able to provide 71 low- and very low-income families the opportunity to achieve the American dream of homeownership.