When Susie Grissom bought a house in Stamps, Arkansas in 2023, she believed it could become a comfortable place to live. Instead, the Lafayette County home quickly revealed a long list of needed repairs.

Grissom found the structure required extensive work — from interior walls to exterior access and basic systems — and nearly every part of the house needed attention.

“There was a lot that needed fixing,” she said.

She prioritized the most urgent issue first: the leaking roof. After paying to repair it, she reached a stopping point. The home still lacked finished walls and a working water connection, preventing her from fully living there.

After investing a significant amount of her own money into the property, her savings were gone.

Her situation reflects a broader challenge across rural areas, where aging housing often requires substantial repairs but homeowners — particularly those on fixed incomes — have limited access to traditional financing.

Grissom mentioned her struggles during a conversation downtown with Stamps Mayor Stacie Mitchell-Gweah. After hearing about the mounting costs, the mayor suggested she contact Communities Unlimited, explaining the organization might be able to assist. The recommendation led Grissom to the Lending Team’s Home Improvement Loan Program and Consumer Loan Officer Jesse Saldana.

Thanks to CU’s partnership with the King Foundation and the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas, the program offers small, affordable loans to low- and moderate-income homeowners in select Arkansas counties who cannot access traditional credit.

Loans are available up to $3,500 with a two-year term and monthly payments, and applicants are not required to have collateral or formal credit history, though proof of homeownership and responsible payment history is needed. Funds can be used for repairs such as roof work, flooring, mold remediation and other safety-related improvements.

“Communities Unlimited gave me hope,” she said. “They eased my stress and explained everything clearly. They were quick with it, and I was blown away.”

She received the loan in September 2025. Completion is expected by early March.

“It’s coming along beautifully,” she said. “I had a house fire before, and I’m older and on disability, so I can’t work. This was a miracle to me. It’s going to be fantastic.”

Since its Arkansas launch in February 2025, CU has provided 57 home improvement loans totaling $196,000. Based on the types of repairs homeowners completed, those projects are also increasing property values. Using standard real-estate valuation estimates — and Arkansas-specific repair data when available — the homes are estimated to have gained between $360,150 and $410,200 in combined value.

In simple terms, every dollar loaned is generating roughly $1.80 to $2.10 in home value. While the loans help families make their homes safe and livable today, they are also helping homeowners build long-term equity and strengthening the surrounding neighborhoods.

Without the program, Grissom believes the project would have stalled indefinitely.

She now encourages neighbors to pursue help as well.

“I 1,000% recommend people apply for this program,” Grissom said. “I’ve already told several people, and some have already gotten help. I’m passing it along.”

Once repairs are complete, she will finally be able to move into the home she purchased two years ago.