Written by Haven Scott Dec 3, 2025 Updated 3 hrs ago
As Cedes and Jesse Horn drove their shovels into the rock-hard land of their Hurricane lot last week, they weren’t just breaking ground — they were breaking through the region’s affordable housing barrier, thanks to Self-Help Homes, a sweat-equity program that helps families build their own homes.
“I know a lot of people my age who are renting or still with their parents,” Cedes Horn said. “I think this is a great opportunity for us young families, or even young adults who are thinking about their future.”
The Horns were one of eight couples to break ground in Hurricane on Nov. 25, as part of a Self-Help Homes event that also celebrated 10 families who moved into new homes last week.
Photo by Haven Scott, St. George News
Brooklynn Klunker speaks about how the Self-Help Homes program helps families, Hurricane, Utah, Nov. 25, 2025.
Self-Help Homes Executive Director Brad Bishop said the nonprofit offers local families the opportunity to buy a home at some of the lowest market prices in Southern Utah.
“The homes themselves are in the low $400,000s,” Bishop said.
The catch? Most of the savings come from the homebuyer themselves through sweat, struggle and plain old hard work.
“The families put in about 1,400 hours of sweat equity,” Bishop said. “They do 100% of their own framing, they do all the painting, landscaping, the cabinets — they do about 70% of the labor on the homes. And nobody moves in until all the homes in their group are complete.”
Brooklynn Klunker spoke to the crowd about how grateful she was to learn about the program from her husband, Blake, who heard from a coworker’s daughter.
Photo by Haven Scott, St. George News
Kazden Jolley discusses being accepted into the Self-Help Homes program, Hurricane, Utah, Nov. 25, 2025.
Despite the pile of paperwork, Klunker said her family is excited to get to work after breaking ground on their lot.
“We think it’s a great and unique opportunity to build with our neighbors and get to know them,” she said. “And to work towards something together with them.”
Kazden Jolley told those in attendance that the housing market in Southern Utah skyrocketed after he got married as a college student.
“Our dream of owning a home together someday seemed to be getting farther and farther away,” he said. “It was really discouraging for a long time.”
Now a parent and homeowner, Jolley said he could not thank Self-Help Homes officials enough, as Hurricane residents, city and county officials toured the finished house his group started in December of last year.
“We just moved into our home a couple of weeks ago, and our two oldest girls are psyched about the bunk bed,” he chuckled. “They don’t really care about the house, but they are really excited about the bunk bed.”
Photo by Haven Scott, St. George News
Washington County Commissioner Gil Almquist speaks with residents about the Self-Help Homes program at a groundbreaking event, Hurricane, Utah, Nov. 25, 2025.
Jolley also praised the United States Department of Agriculture Rural Development’s Section 502 Direct Loan Program and the assistance provided by Self-Help Homes staff when completing the required paperwork.
Photo by Haven Scott, St. George News
Bishop noted Self-Help Homes recently acquired 50-60 lots for new homes in Hurricane’s Sage Pointe subdivision, with development still in the planning stages.
For more information on the Self-Help Homes nonprofit organization, qualifications and to view new developments in Southern Utah, visit https://www.selfhelphomes.org/.
