The mutual self-help housing loan program is used primarily to help very low and low-income households construct their own homes. The program is targeted to families who are unable to buy clean, safe housing through conventional methods. Families participating in a mutual self-help project perform approximately 65 percent of the construction labor on each other's homes under qualified supervision. The savings from the reduction in labor costs allows otherwise ineligible families to own their homes.

Applicants must have very low or low income. Very low income is defined as below 50 percent of the area median income (AMI); low income is between 50 and 80 percent AMI. Families must be able to afford the mortgage payments including principal, interest, taxes and insurance (PITI). The amount of subsidy is determined by family income, with loan terms from 33 to 38 years, and rates as low as 1 percent. Income calculations are performed according to the mortgage company guidelines and will vary according to family income. - In the mutual self-help housing program, houses must be modest in size, design, and cost.

For information on our programs please call 352-383-7300, or contact

HIP Sales Office
1175 Lucerne Drive, Mt.
Dora, FL 32757