Nephi City – A ribbon cutting for eight completed Self-Help Homes was held on Wednesday afternoon at Savage Bluffs Subdivision in south east Nephi which is a new subdivision in the heart of Nephi.
It is connected to an already built-out subdivisions to the south and east and is within walking distance of Red Cliffs Elementary.
Brad Bishop, Executive Director of Self-Help Homes, welcomed those attending the ribbon-cutting and said that he wanted to congratulate what was group 73 in the program.
“We are building 15 units in Nephi,” said Bishop. “These are the first eight and seven more will follow in Savage Bluffs.”
Even more homes would follow with He said that it had been 20 years since four Self-Help Homes had last been built in Nephi.
“Nephi has been discovered,” said Bishop.
He said that when the eight homes were turned over to their owners following the open house, Self-Help Homes would have built 609 homes in Utah.
Self-Help Homes helps families build affordable new homes in Utah. We have available home lots in Northern, Central, and Southern Utah.
“We are a non profit company and we assist groups of 6-12 families form an informal partnership to help each other build each others houses,” he said. Technical assistance and training is provided by a superintendent from Self-Help Homes. In this case, and in the seven homes to follow, David Cox was the Construction Supervisor.
Alexandra Camacaro, a former teacher and one of the Self-Help Homes participants, then spoke to the group.
“We have two teens, a girl 15 and a boy 13 and girls who are 3, 4 and 6,” she said.
She said that her husband, Johan, had done a great deal of research after the two found that they had friends who had built homes using the sweat-equity method.
The more the couple had researched the more friends they found who had built homes that way.
“My husband likes to do research,” she said. “I do not.”
She said that Spanish Fork was about as far south as she had considered but those working with the program took time to help them and to answer questions.
The Nephi site met many of their criteria. The most important being that the area have good schools for their children.
They, along with fellow builders on the team, had to complete a Ropes Course. Ropes courses strengthen an individual’s self-confidence and problem solving skills and are an excellent team bonding activity.
“We were asked to construct a tent blindfolded and only using hand gestures,” she said. “It would be a good reality show.”
Putting in 45 hours a week and helping the neighbors with their building took at lot of endurance. The day they put up trusses was a day to remember.
“We needed Dave,” she said.
They made color choices, did endless caulking, and worked to complete their homes and help their neighbors to do the same.
What she ended up with, besides a beautiful home, was pride. Pride in her husband, her neighbors, her children and herself.
Tyrell Nielson, participant, said that he would mostly like to thank people. “I would like to thank David Cox, our construction supervisors,” he said. “You will find that we are the best group.”
He said that they had a lot of volunteers who also pitched in to help with building.
“We all still have all of our fingers,” Nielson said.
One of the best parts of the build was learning to know the fellow-home builders as neighbors and not just as coworkers.
Nephi Mayor Justin Seely said it was especially heart-warming to see the young families and young children who would be part of the community. He had always thought Nephi was a great place and had always wanted to live in Nephi.
“Even when I worked in Ogden,” said Seely, “I commuted so that my family could live here.”
It was a family oriented community where people cared about each other and were willing to volunteer and to help others.
He said he would like to thank the city staff who helped Self-Help Homes through the work required to permit and to build homes in Nephi.
“There are enough rocks to step through as it is,” he said.
Holly Sweeten, Community Outreach Director for Rep. Burgess Owens (R-UT), had also been a big help with the project, he said.
Michelle Weaver, Utah State Director for USDA Rural Development, said that the state is one of the least affordable states for first time home buyers.
Utah is actually trending as one of the least affordable states for those wanting to purchase a home. Although there are some great jobs here, wages are not keeping up with housing costs.
“We are third in line with California and Hawaii,” Weaver said.
Weaver has experience working as a small business owner, spent time in the banking industry and non-profit sector. With more than 25 years of experience in affordable housing development, Weaver has been an instrumental advocate for rural Utah residents and their issues. She has provided economic development technical assistance and training, assisted nonprofit organizations and tribal housing developments and administered small business lending programs.
“I have been the state director for two years,” said Weaver, “but I worked with Self-Help Homes for nine years.”
She said building a Self-Help Home took a lot of mental stamina.
“My challenge to you is to now empower others,” she said.
The home-owners and their children then took place in the official ribbon cutting ceremony after which brownies were served, homeowners were given gift packets and home tours were given.
Group 73 participants were: Matthew and Krista Horrocks, James and Kharissa Hebert, Schylar and Caprice Jones, Tanner and Rylie Nebeker, Darrin and Amber Solie, Nina Eckert, Johan and Alexandra Camacaro, Tyrell and Elizabeth Nielson.
The Board of Trustees were: Scott Wyckoff, John Baer, Lynell Smith, Sarah Campbell, Mary Ann Chrisitansen, and David Rowley.
In addition to Bishop, were Brent Bluth, Director of Development; Josh Walker, Director of Construction; Socorro Espinoza, Accounting Manager. Specialists were: Michelle Hardman, Annette Olsen, Scott Tuttle, Jeremy Phelps, David Cox, Carter King, Nathan Barker and Julie Lindquist.
