USDA SEEKS APPLICATIONS FOR GRANTS TO REPAIR RURAL HOUSING

USDA SEEKS APPLICATIONS FOR GRANTS TO
REPAIR RURAL HOUSING

Agriculture Secretary Tom
Vilsack announced that USDA is accepting applications for grants to intermediaries
to help low- and very-low-income rural residents repair their homes.

            “Housing
is a cornerstone of any thriving, stable community,” Vilsack said.  “As the Obama administration works to ensure
that people remain in their homes, it is more important than ever to make
certain their homes are safe, energy efficient, livable dwellings.”

            Housing
Preservation Grants are provided to intermediaries such as town or county
governments, public agencies, and nonprofit and faith-based organizations.  The grants are distributed to homeowners or
owners of multi-family rental properties or cooperative dwellings who rent to
low- and very-low-income people. 

            USDA may award up to $10 million in competitive grants
through this notice.  The grants to be
awarded are part of USDA Rural Development’s annual budget and are not funded
through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

            Applications are due by the close of business July 10,
2009.  Applications may be accessed
electronically at http://www.grants.gov.  Also see
the May 11, 2009, Federal Register,
page 21775.

            USDA Rural Development’s mission is to increase economic
opportunity and improve the quality of life for rural residents. Rural
Development fosters growth in homeownership, finances business development and
supports the creation of critical community and technology infrastructure.
Further information on rural programs is available at a local USDA Rural
Development office or by visiting USDA Rural Development’s web site at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov.