This morning, USDA Rural Development State Director Terry Brunner presented an American Flag to Ms. Jessica Sheldon for achieving her dream of owning a home. The celebration is one of the events being held across the state and the country during National Homeownership Month.
As Brunner presented the flag to Ms. Sheldon he said, “Today’s celebration is very special because Jessica Sheldon’s resolve to become a home owner shows that anyone at any age can make their homeownership dream come true.” Brunner added, “This type of determination is not only good for the individual homeowner but also for their community and the nation because homeownership helps stabilize our nation’s economy.”
Ms. Sheldon was honored because of her determination to become a homeowner. In a letter of thank you to USDA Rural Development she commended, Ms. Patsy Villalobos from our Las Cruces office for being instrumental in helping her buy the first home of her life. She said at the age of sixty-five her dream to become a homeowner came true, and celebrating her sixty-sixth birthday in her own home was extra special.
Ms. Sheldon qualified for a no down payment home loan program financed by USDA Rural Development which allowed her to move into her home last fall.
Ms. Sheldon’s success in becoming a homeowner is a good example why USDA Rural Development celebrates National Homeownership Month every June. Her story along with thousands of other’s shows anyone can achieve their goal of homeownership if they are given the opportunity.
Since FY-2009, USDA Rural Development has provided $553,970,124 in mortgages to 3,656 families living in rural communities in New Mexico. Also, during that time several multi-housing apartment complexes were constructed using USDA financing which has helped hundreds of families with a place to live. And, during that time USDA’s Direct Home Loan and Home Loan Guarantee Programs has helped more than one million rural residents across the nation buy a home.
The first National Homeownership celebration was held during the first week of June in 1997 to bring attention to the advantages of homeownership and to help increase the purchase of homes. Since then the celebration has grown and is celebrated for entire month of June with hundreds of events held across the nation.
This year’s celebration in New Mexico, USDA Rural Development is celebrating National Homeownership Month with eight events including:
June 1, 2016, at 11:00 AM at Zuni Pueblo, NM –A HERO award will be presented to Ms. Lorelei Sanchez for her work to provide housing opportunities at Zuni Pueblo. Also a ground breaking ceremony to begin construction for several new homes will be held.
June 9, 2016, at 1:30 PM in Columbus, NM –A certificate of obligation will be presented to Tierra Del Sol Housing Corporation to administer a self-help housing project. The location for event will be at the Tierra Del Sol Self-Help Office in Columbus, NM.
June 10, 2016 at 9:00 AM in Deming, NM –A groundbreaking event will be held to begin the construction of the self-help housing program administered by the Southern NM Regional Housing and Economic Development, Inc. The ground breaking event will take place at: 1518 and 1522 South Iron Street, Deming, NM 88030.
June 10, 2016 at 11:30 AM in Las Cruces, NM –The dedication of the Paseo del Oro Farm Labor project in Las Cruces will be held. The event will be held at the new apartment complex located at 4350 Elks Drive, Las Cruces, NM 88007.
June 16, 2016 at 11:00 AM in Ruidoso, NM –A flag presentation will be made to Ms. Jessica Sheldon for becoming a new homeowner. The event will take place at Ms. Sheldon’s home located at 104 Hobart Drive, Ruidoso, NM 88345.
June 17, 2016 at 9:00 AM Artesia, NM –A presentation will be held to honor Ms. Theresa Baize a realtor for helping three families qualify for USDA Rural Development’s direct housing program. The three new homeowners will also be honored. They are; Ms. Pamela Jimenez, Ms. Naomi Ivans, and Ms. Angelica Sanchez.
June 30, 2016 at 1:00 PM Taos Pueblo, NM –RD staff will participate in a housing fair at the at the Taos Pueblo Housing Office located at 925 Spider Rock Road, Taos Pueblo, NM 87571.
President Obama’s plan for rural America has brought about historic investment and resulted in stronger rural communities. Under the President’s leadership, these investments in housing, community facilities, businesses and infrastructure have empowered rural America to continue leading the way – strengthening America’s economy, small towns and rural communities. USDA’s investments in rural communities support the rural way of life that stands as the backbone of our American values.