As part of the Utah County 
Housing Summit on June 29, Chris Nichols, president of the Utah County Association of REALTORS® presented the 2011 Utah County Housing Advocate award to the Rural Housing Development Corporation (RHDC).
This award recognizes RHDC for its exceptional service and dedication to improving housing opportunities throughout Utah County.
RHDC is a non-profit community housing development organization which has developed nearly 300 units of affordable housing for low and very low-income families and is a part of a number of various local and national organization.
Its affordable homeownership program, “Mutual Self-Help Housing” is just one way RHDC strives to help families help themselves into the American dream of owning a home.
“Affordable housing is a basic need that everyone, no matter their income, is concerned with,” says Brad Bishop, RHDC executive director. “However, there is a greater burden for those that earn lower incomes to find affordable housing, and it’s even harder for them to get into affordable home ownership.”
The “Mutual Self-Help Housing” program helps families overcome the down payment burden through 1,100 hours of sweat equity. Participants help one another and, in turn, help create great communities.
“There are so many more efficiencies to having families group together and build each other’s homes,” Bishop says. “They learn to trust and understand one another.”
Other participants in the 2011 Utah County Housing Summit include Bruce Lefavi, founder and president of Lefavi Wealth Management; Larry Ellertson, Utah County Commissioner; Habitat for Humanity of Utah County; and the Utah Apartment Association. Various housing experts, elected officials and REALTORS® also participated.
The summit focused on affordability and availability of housing in Utah County, as well as on creating stable neighborhoods and prosperous communities.
“REALTORS® and our partnering associations understand that home ownership strengthens communities,” says Taylor Oldroyd, CEO of the Utah County Association of REALTORS®, which hosted and organized the event. “We hope to continue to have a positive impact on expanding affordable housing opportunities.”
The Utah County Association of REALTORS® is dedicated to serving as the local voice of real estate and is committed to promoting healthy housing environments and prosperous economic development throughout Utah County. For more information, contact the Utah County Association of REALTORS® at (801)¬¬¬ 226-3777 or visit them at www.ucaor.com.