HUD Inspires Homeownership for Low-Income Families Through a $13.5 Million Grant

• Author: Marsha Jacobs
• Posted: 2024-04-09

In a commendable effort to broaden homeownership opportunities for hard-working, low-income families, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has granted $13.5 million in "sweat equity grants" to bolster non-profit, self-help housing organizations. 

These "sweat equity grants" aim to pave the way for homeownership by supporting the construction or renovation of 445 homes for low-income, first-time homebuyers through HUD's Self-Help Homeownership Opportunity Program (SHOP).

You may see the grant summaries here.

Turning Dreams into Tangible Assets

HUD's Acting Secretary, Adrianne Todman, personified the Department's unwavering dedication to investing in homeownership and establishing reasonable pathways for Americans to acquire their first homes. 

Acting Secretary Todman underscored how the SHOP program, financed by HUD, alongside the priceless assistance of volunteers and the sweat equity contributed by buyers, is pivotal in making the dream of homeownership a reality for numerous individuals and families.

Community Empowerment through SHOP Grants

Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Marion McFadden, at a Habitat for Humanity Build event in Nashville, Tennessee, emphasized the transformative impact of SHOP grants in enabling individuals with modest means to achieve homeownership. 

These grants are indispensable in addressing the national demand for new homes and advancing community well-being by offering affordable housing options. The SHOP program provides federal grants to adept non-profit organizations to facilitate self-help homeownership housing programs.

Since its inception in 1996, SHOP has allocated over $457 million in federal grants, creating more than 33,000 affordable homeownership units. These units are accessible to first-time homebuyers from underserved groups through sweat equity contributions and volunteer labor.

Building Affordable Homes through Sweat Equity

Homebuyers participating in SHOP programs contribute sweat equity toward the development of their units, effectively reducing the purchase price and ensuring affordability for low-income buyers. 

Sweat equity requirements include a minimum of 100 hours for households of two or more individuals and 50 hours for single-person households. The vital contributions of volunteer labor from the community, encompassing various construction tasks, are also undeniable in completing the housing units.

Through the collaborative efforts of HUD, non-profit housing providers, volunteers, and homebuyers, the SHOP program continues to make significant strides in advancing homeownership for those in need.

Source: HUD Press Release