Comment Submitted by Helen McClaine

Generally speaking, our target population has more sweat available than cash. Allowing Section 8 participants to contribute time and effort to the building of a home as their down payment, rather than the need to amass a percentage of the purchase price, increases the likelihood that more families can become home owners. The passage of this proposed rule change provides an opportunity to marry a sweat equity home ownership program with the Section 8 HCV Home Ownership Program, thereby furthering HUD?s stated goal of moving low and moderate income families into home ownership.