self help: Self-Help Housing: 18 Families Chosen for New Program

Posted: June 17, 2006 10:45 AM A groundbreaking ceremony today in Pontotoc County moved one family another step closer to becoming new home-owners. That family in Ada, and seventeen others are teaming up with Tri-County Oklahoma to build their own houses. KTEN's Andrea Kurys has the story. The families come from Pontotoc, Coal and Johnston counties. They are all taking part in a self-help housing program. Over the next two years, they'll be working with Tri-County Oklahoma and each other to build their dream homes. Tri-County Oklahoma is a non-profit corporation that works to create economic opportunities and adequate, affordable housing. This program targets low income families who may never have had this opportunity otherwise. Jay perkins said, "We've got four kids in my family, me and my wife, and a lot of people stacked on top of each other at the house we're at now. Now maybe nobody will have to share a bedroom anymore." Seanna Miller said,"It's gonna be incredible to have our own house, and everybody have their own bedroom. It's going to be nice." Bryson Miller said, " I'm happy about my new house." Ada Mayor Donna York and the State USDA Rural Development Director were among some of the people that attended today's groundbreaking ceremony. The families will participate in homebuyer education classes and receive construction training. Tri-County Oklahoma will supervise the sub-contractors and partner with the chickasaw nation for credit counseling services.the money used in the housing project comes from a federal designation that was awarded in 1999. Andrea Kurys, KTEN News.