“Without this program, I would not be in my own home right now.”

For years, Amanda Weaver worked to help people get back on their feet through the support of USDA assistance programs. But when it came to buying a house, it was time for USDA to help Amanda instead.

As a single mother of one child living and working in Laughlin, Nevada, Amanda found herself struggling with rapidly increasing rent prices and the limitations of her apartment. “We just needed more space,” she said. It was difficult to invite friends and family over, she recalls, laughing—“People don’t want to come to an apartment and party!”

Amanda eventually moved in with her parents and began saving up money for a down payment on her own home in the future, a long-held dream of her’s. “When I was 18, I thought, how amazing would it be if I had my own house,” she said. At the time, there was only one homeowner in her family.

After two years of living together with her parents, Amanda took the next step towards that dream. “I knew there were assistance programs out there because I work with them,” she said. “I work with USDA Food and Nutrition Services’ (FNS) programs on a regular basis, including the SNAP program and the cash assistance and medical assistance programs.”

She called USDA Rural Development’s Las Vegas Office and spoke with Housing Programs Loan Specialist Michele Joe, who gave her more information about her options. “Michele was amazing,” said Amanda. “She told me all about the program, she really coached me through the process, what programs would benefit me and what I would qualify for.”

Within three weeks of submitting all the necessary paperwork, Amanda received another call moving her forward in the process.

“Michele advocated for me,” said Amanda. “From home inspection to what kind of home I wanted to buy.”

Now, Amanda lives happily in her new house. She finds joy in the possibilities that the space allows her—She’s hoping to have a party over the summer with all her family. Some afternoons, after school, her son invites friends over to play.

“Without this program,” she said, “I would not be in my own home right now.”