Utah Housing Corporation partners with schools and
students to provide the ECHO (Educationally Constructed Housing Opportunities) program that helps Utah's families into well-built, affordable homes. The ECHO program is targeted at lowering the cost of a home by using a student workforce.
Once complete, the home is sold to a moderate-income household at a price well below the market, and the school receives the builder's fee for constructing the home. ECHO homes have strengthened many school construction programs across Utah and provide an important service to the community by helping a moderate-income household to afford their own home.
"Through the ECHO program the students get a taste of
what the construction industry can offer them. The program also helps to build their self-esteem. The students come away learning they can actually do something and are proud of their accomplishments," said instructor Doug Cox.
ECHO homes are sold to households earning modest incomes of 80 percent or less of the Area Median Income (AMI) in their community ($49,120 for a family of four in Layton). Utah Housing provides financing for acquiring the land, purchasing materials and supplies, and paying for licensed subcontractors.
"The ECHO program makes important contributions to many. Students learn skills they can use the rest of their lives and can see the results of their hard work for many years to come. Some of the schools' programs can become self-supporting, and a moderate-income family can realize the dream of owning a new, quality, affordable home," said William Erickson, President of Utah Housing Corporation.
The Utah Housing Corporation is non-profit and is committed to bring quality, affordable housing to low- and moderate-income families in Utah. UHC is self-funding, and receives no appropriations from the State Government. For information, call 801-902-8200, or visit Utah Housing's Web site at
www.utahhousingcorp.org.
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