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When Amanda saw a Facebook post shared by a trusted friend, she didn’t expect it would lead to life-changing home repairs  and a milestone for Communities Unlimited (CU).

The post linked to a CU press release announcing the new Home Improvement Loan Program in Arkansas. Amanda became the first person in the state to receive a CU Home Improvement Loan.

She applied seeking help with serious damage in her primary bathroom — issues she had dealt with for more than a year. The floor had water damage, the joists and subfloor needed to be replaced, and plumbing repairs were critical. Once work began, additional plumbing problems were uncovered and resolved.

Amanda works full-time but lives in an area where incomes often don’t stretch far.
“This is a low-income area, and even though I make decent money for the region, it’s not enough to keep a lot in savings for emergencies,”she said. “Sometimes it’s hard to find help. So having this program, being able to reach out and actually get support, that means everything. Without it, I probably would have just had to live with those issues for a while.”

For Amanda, the loan meant far more than a repaired bathroom, it brought peace of mind.
“I no longer have to worry about backups, clogs, or calling a plumber all the time. That’s a big relief.”

She also described the lending process as smooth and supportive.
“It was simple. Jesse was friendly. He let me know what he needed and kept me updated the whole time, which I appreciated. It helped keep my anxiety down. I had no issues — it was a breeze.”

Desha County is one of 30 counties in eastern and southern Arkansas selected for the program. Many of these counties, including Desha, have a high number of households living below the ALICE Threshold. ALICE — Asset Limited, Income Constrained, and Employed — refers to individuals and families who are working yet still struggle to make ends meet.

Read the full story here.