SALT LICK, KY – Five families were welcomed home by Frontier Housing, its partners, and the community during a Celebration and Ribbon Cutting at Redbud Subdivision in Salt Lick, on June 28, as part of Homeownership Month.
The new community is part of Frontier’s Mutual Self-Help program. It is located off Old River Road and US 60.
Mutual Self-Help brings together homebuyers into build groups of 4-7 households, leading them through the process of cooperatively building their homes. Each household provides at least 30 hours a week to the build process, and none of the families move in until all the homes are completed.
“I’m so happy for these new homeowners! These families have put in a ton of sweat equity on the long journey of building their homes. In addition to their home, they’ve built community bonds that will last,” said Dr. Tom Carew, Kentucky State Director, USDA Rural Development. “I’m proud that Rural Development could help make this happen in partnership with Frontier Housing. Thanks to projects like this, rural America is a place everyone can call home.” Frontier Housing was awarded a USDA Rural Development grant to implement its Self-Help program four years ago.
Self-help housing does more than build affordable homes. It builds neighborhoods, strengthens families, and creates wealth. In exchange for all the labor, homebuyers only finance the cost of the land they purchase, the materials that go into the home, and the trades/subcontractors that get hired to complete parts of the work, such as electrical, plumbing, HVAC, roofing, etc.
Home loans were made possible by the USDA and the Kentucky Housing Corporation. Frontier received funding for the project from the federal Community Development Financial Institutions Fund or CDFI.
Tom Manning-Beavin, Frontier President & CEO, thanked homebuyers for putting their faith in the process and trusting that Frontier could make the day happen.
Homeowners at Redbud include the families of Melissa Burkhart, Janie Grooms, Whitney Barnes, Melissa Smith and Rebecca Hamilton. A sixth Mutual Self-Help home is under construction on KY 158 in Rowan County.
During tours, the new owners talked about what they love about their homes and how they enjoyed working with Frontier staff.
Homebuyers were taught how to read a tape measure, run a saw, drive nails, and lay block. Frontier construction staff taught them how to build a home right and correct it when it was done wrong.
“Thank you Frontier Housing for everything you’re doing here in Bath County. These are great homes and a great development,” said Judge-Executive Bobby Rogers.
Rep. David Hale, who represents Bath County in Frankfort, championed Frontier’s mission to provide affordable housing solutions to build better communities.
“To see these homes here today, that’s really exciting for this community,” Hale said.
Frontier Housing homes are energy efficient, saving families lots of money. The design features that make living in one of Frontier homes both comfortable and economical include:
- 2×6 exterior walls instead of 2×4
- Heat pump hot water heater, which is 2x-3x more efficient than a standard electric hot water heater
- Energy Recovery Ventilator, which circulates fresh air while simultaneously heating or cooling the fresh air to the temperature inside the house, by using the stale air that is being vented out of the house
- LED lighting
- EnergyStar appliances & ceiling fans and WaterSense (low flow) fixtures
Frontier uses a HERS Index to measure energy efficiency. The HERS Index allows buyers to compare homes based on energy performance. The lower the HERS Index, the more money the buyer will save.
Homes at Redbud Subdivision have a HERS Index ranging from 46-53, which means they use less than half the energy that typical homes use.
There are still eight lots available in the third phase of Redbud Subdivision. For more information go online to www.frontierky.org or call 606-784-2131.
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Frontier Housing is the leader for affordable housing solutions in Appalachian communities in the heart of the Ohio River Valley. Frontier improves the quality of life for individuals and families, helping them achieve long-term stability, financial independence, and generational wealth.
