How the shutdown is jeopardizing housing for rural Americans

How the shutdown is jeopardizing housing for rural Americans

Posted on January 22, 2019

Families in the Self-Help Housing program could face liens on their property from contractors and suppliers if they can’t cover the construction costs, which the USDA reimburses after the work is done. That could damage the families’ credit and put them under greater financial strain, said Tom Collishaw, president and CEO of Self-Help Enterprises in California. His nonprofit may have to shoulder a $700,000 bill to protect 70 families building homes through the program if the USDA funding does not come through in late January, he said.