A Home for the Holidays

January 11th, 2012

Just in the nick of time

Sagraves new home

Sagraves New Home

The Sagraves moved a 1975 mobile home onto their mountain and began building their idyllic life together. However, despite their love for one another, times were hard. “Windstorms would shake the pictures on the wall,” remembers Jackie, “and in the winter, the front door would freeze up and we’d be stuck inside for days.”

Bobby learned about Frontier Housing from his cousin, who worked at Grayson Rural Electric Co-Op.

The Sagraves describe their experience working with the staff at Frontier as, “Wonderful!” “They all supported us, I can say that,” Jackie exclaims.
“They made it so simple—no headaches, no frustration,” adds Bobby. They both agree that, over time, Frontier Housing began to feel like family.

In just months, the Sagraves’ home was built from the ground up. Remembering the construction of their home, Bobby says, “Every time I drove up, something else had been done.” The kindhearted pair showed their appreciation by doting on the construction crew; rewarding them one afternoon with lunch from Kentucky Fried Chicken, which the crew enjoyed while admiring the view from the couple’s favorite picnic spot.

Frontier was able to piece together an affordable financing package for the Sagraves using:

  • NeighborWorks® Capital Funding for the Rehabilitation of Affordable Housing (specifically awarded to assist in replacing pre-1976 mobile homes)
  • HOME Funds – The National Affordable Housing Act of 1990 (awarded to assist in building new and affordable homes in northeastern Kentucky)
  • A USDA Rural Housing mortgage (which offers the only zero money down program available to borrowers that have not served in the military)

Full story* …

Sagraves earlier home

Sagraves Prior Home

Friends of Frontier Tee Off Again at 3rd Annual Golf Scramble

December 16th, 2011

On Friday, September 30th, Frontier Housing held its 3rd annual Friends of Frontier Golf Scramble at Eagle Trace Golf Course. Despite the inclement weather, we had a very fun and exciting day on the course! Golfers teed off early in the morning after coffee and doughnuts in the clubhouse and played all day, anticipating a $3,000 payout at the end of the afternoon. 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place finishes won cash prizes. The 12 players who shot closest to the pin on the par 3 holes participated in a $1,000 shootout.Golf 2011

Frontier would like to offer many thanks for the community support that we received. Twenty-two teams were sponsored at the scramble and we were very fortunate to have over thirty tee-box and green sponsorships from local businesses and individuals. We were also very happy to have had dozens of door prizes donated by area businesses. We are pleased to have maintained our relationships with those who sponsored or donated the last two years; and are excited to have made many meaningful connections and deeper ties in the community. Your support is deeply valued and necessary for Frontier’s future success in providing affordable housing to more people in Eastern Kentucky.

Frontier Housing: NeighborWorks® Homeownership Center

November 22nd, 2011

NW HOCFrontier Housing was recently designated a NeighborWorks® HomeOwnership Center. NeighborWorks® HomeOwnership Centers like Frontier are one-stop shops for all things related to homeownership. Being a NeighborWorks® Homeownership Center allows Frontier access to a national network of resources for training and lending pro-grams that brings all of its services full circle to increase its impact on communities. From professional homebuyer education, to lending, to new construction to energy efficient home repair, Frontier makes home-ownership easy.

NeighborWorks HomeOwnership Centers pave the road to long-term affordable homeownership for thousands of homebuyers and homeowners each year. We help area residents achieve homeownership the NeighborWorks way:

  • Prepare for long-term homeownership through homebuyer education;
  • Invest wisely with affordable and appropriate mortgage products; and
  • Retain your home through preventative home maintenance, timely home repair and rehabilitation.

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“Step” Toward A New Life

November 11th, 2011

Living in an upstairs apartment with her son for two years, one of Erica Gregory’s biggest concerns was her son falling down the stairs and getting hurt. “I don’t have to worry about my son getting hurt anymore; I’m so relieved.”

Home ownerErica is a single mother who is a full-time student majoring in Paralegal Studies at Morehead State University. Frontier Housing was able to help Erica, who was referred by local partner, Morehead Electric, acquire a loan to build her home on 13 acres of land purchased from her grandfather on Skaggs Road in Morehead. The house built on the property is a 1,314 square foot, 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom home using the “Windsor Trace” home plan, a new home design for 2011 for Frontier.
The house is Energy Star efficient, receiving a 64 HERS rating on the Energy Star index. Being such an energy efficient home, Erica can expect her utility bills to be very manageable each month.

When asked how she has been enjoying her new home, Erica’s response was, “It’s everything I wanted in a house; it’s perfect.” She really enjoys having the opportunity to make changes she wants to her home as she sees fit, without having to have approval from a landlord.

Another “Repair Affair” in the Books

November 9th, 2011

Repair Affair 2011On Saturday, September 10, over 300 volunteers descended upon the Zane Collins Community Park for the third annual Morehead-Rowan County Repair Affair. The event, sponsored by the MSU Center for Regional Engagement and Frontier Housing, addressed the minor home repair needs of low-income, elderly, and disabled homeowners throughout the community.

In total, 21 homes were selected to receive repairs. Repairs included painting, door repair, window replacement, gutter repair, and various other services. Additionally, three ramps were constructed to address accessibility issues for several homeowners.
Many MSU student and Greek organizations participated in the event. Volunteers received a free breakfast, lunch, and a complimentary t-shirt for their participation.

Repair Affair 2011

Morgan Sloas (’11) of Flemingsburg served as a first-time volunteer and found the experience to be quite rewarding.
“I enjoyed giving my time back to my neighbors and helping those in need,” Sloas said. “I think the program was a big success.”
For more information about the Morehead-Rowan County Repair Affair, contact Randy Manis, MRCRA chair, at (606) 783.5399.