Programs greatly depend on donations from the faith community, businesses, foundations, and individuals.
“Interfaith’s impact on housing in the area is immeasurable. There’s no one like them.”
Rev. Brian Scott
Executive Director of The Religious Coalition for Emergency Human Needs
Homeownership
Building Homes to Build Community
Rolling Hills
We currently have four newly constructed duplex homes for sale in our Rolling Hills community located at Lindale Avenue and PA Route 16 in Greencastle, PA. These beautiful new homes are Energy Star rated with loads of energy saving features including kitchen appliance, 13-SEER central heating and air conditioning and lots of insulation. Other features include a hardwood foyer, 6-panel interior colonial doors, hardwood cabinets and island counter space in the kitchen, and solid oak railings and bannisters along the stairs. Located close to I-81 for Commuting convenience, Rolling Hills is still far enough away from the highway to offer country-style living at its best.
Please contact Peggy Hays at 717-597-3174 or peggy.hays@jgr.com for more information.
Self-Help
We are looking for four families or individuals for the Self-Help Program to start our next group of single-family homes in south-central Pennsylvania.
IHA’s Self-Help Homeownership Program allows qualified families and individuals with the opportunity to become homebuyers through “sweat equity” rather than a 20% downpayment. Since its inception over 15 years ago, IHA’s Self-Help Program has built more than 200 single family homes throughout central and western Maryland and south-central Pennsylvania.
Completed applications can be mailed to Linda Warren, IHA’s Homeownership Manager, at 41 S. Antrim Way, Greencastle, PA 17225, or faxed to (717) 593-0900. If you have any questions or need help completing the forms, please call Linda at (717) 414-5042 or email her at lwarren@interfaithhousing.org.
Current Self-Help Communities
Middle Springs Estates
Shippensburg, Pennsylvania
Construction will begin this summer on the six remaining lots in this beautiful residential community located close to Shippensburg University in Cumberland County. Several energy-efficient house types are available to choose from, and all feature 3 bedrooms and two baths. The lots are large with plenty of room for swing sets, patios and gardens. When completed, this community will be home for 39 families.
Nottingham Meadows
Greencastle, Pennsylvania
Eighteen new homes will be built in this established residential community close to State Line. Applications are currently being accepted for the first group of six families or individuals wishing to acquire their first home with a down payment of sweat equity rather than cash.
The program is funded in part by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), where families receive loans to purchase homes, and IHA receives funding to administer the program. IHA is responsible for ensuring that all families meet minimum qualifications.
Program Description & Benefits
A key component of the program is “sweat equity” in lieu of a down payment. This requires a substantial investment of time (30 hours per week) for a total of more than 1,000 hours over a period of 9-12 months. Working collectively in groups of 5 or 6 homes at a time, participants build their own homes and the homes of their future neighbors, and only move-in when all of the homes are completed. About 65% of the total construction is performed by participants, who are trained and supervised by experienced IHA construction supervisors.
Advantages of the Self-Help Homeownership Program: An opportunity to own an affordable home with minimal out-of-pocket upfront expenses and a low interest mortgage rate, which based on income can be as low as 1%. A strong sense of community is created as neighbors work together, getting to know each other long before they move into the community. Participants learn valuable construction techniques and home maintenance skills to keep the cost of home ownership at a minimum. Everyone involved walks away with a well-earned sense of pride and accomplishment that can only be gained with this hands-on experience.
Supportive Services
Homeownership Education and Counseling services provide prospective homeowners guidance and support to ensure program qualifications are met. These services include pre- and post-occupancy sessions on budgeting, credit and debt management, and how to save energy and do general home maintenance to minimize expenses. One-on-one and group training and counseling are provided based on the needs of the families.
