Rural self-help housing technical assist

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Housing Service, through its Single Family Housing Program, awarded Whatcom-Skagit Housing $483,300 on February 10, 2026, under the Rural Self-Help Housing Technical Assistance program (CFDA 10.420). The award funds technical assistance delivery through March 2027 to support very low- and low-income individuals and families in constructing their own homes in rural areas through self-help building methods. Whatcom-Skagit Housing, a tax-exempt nonprofit organization based in Ferndale, Washington, will deliver comprehensive technical assistance services including construction expertise, homebuyer education, financial counseling, and community outreach designed to enable rural residents to achieve housing stability and self-sufficiency.

As the prime awardee with no identified subcontractors, Whatcom-Skagit Housing will provide services that allow low-income families to reduce housing costs by contributing significant labor and "sweat equity" to their home construction process. This represents the organization's third consecutive award under the Rural Self-Help Housing Technical Assistance program, reflecting sustained federal confidence in its capacity to execute housing-focused initiatives in rural communities.