Editor, Commonwealth:
I commend the Leflore County Board of Supervisors for its interest in the U.S. Department of Agriculture-funded Self-Help Housing Program (“Board briefed on housing program,” April 10). This would be a much-needed boost to the area in regard to creating affordable housing with the intent of the occupiers becoming homeowners well below market price.
With the program giving future homeowners the opportunity to build their own home with a team, this would be the ideal opportunity for nontraditional students to learn valuable construction skills as they assist families with building their home. A construction supervisor would be there every step of the way to help instruct these young minds through the process of carpentry, plumbing, electrical, HVAC, roofing, brick masonry, and any other skill needed to make the best living space possible. These months that these young minds would spend building a home would be invaluable in molding future certified service men and women, or better yet business owners.
With the new interest for preparation of students to become career- and workforce-ready, I hope our supervisors allow this project to become a reality and collaborate with surrounding schools and colleges. This could spark the transition of something great in the area.
Kenderick Cox
Greenwood
