Ohio awards included among more than $13.7 million allocated nationwide
U.S. Department of Agriculture Ohio Rural Development State Director David L. Hall today announced five Ohio-based sponsoring organizations are receiving nearly $419,000 in Housing Preservation Grants for the repair and rehabilitation of housing owned or occupied by low-income rural residents.
“Housing affordability can be an especially challenging issue in rural areas,” said Hall. “For instance, here in Ohio, it’s estimated that roughly a quarter of the state’s rural residents must set aside 30 percent or more of their monthly income to cover basic housing needs. For lower-income citizens, this leaves precious little for repairs that may be necessary for health and safety. These Housing Preservation Grants will help our qualified rural housing partners ensure there’s a solid footing beneath some of our most vulnerable residents.”
“Under the leadership of President Trump and Agriculture Secretary Perdue, USDA has been working tirelessly to be a strong partner to rural Ohio in building stronger and healthier communities, because we know when rural America thrives, all of America thrives.”
In Ohio:
- Portage County-based Neighborhood Development Services will use its $50,000 grant to help qualified low- and very-low income homeowners in rural Portage and Trumbull Counties make necessary repairs to their homes. NDS has been assisting northeast Ohio as a non-profit economic and housing developer since 1985, with housing rehabilitation its longest-standing service. The USDA grant will be leveraged with $50,000 in funds from the state-administered Community Housing Improvement Program (CHIP).
- The Vinton County Development Department will use its $158,517 grant to initiate repairs to 16 low- and very-low income owner-occupied homes in rural southeast Ohio. A combination of aging housing and a high percentage of rural poverty make the USDA Housing Preservation Grant particularly important in Vinton County, which is leveraging $75,000 in locally-generated funds to ensure program success.
- The Lancaster-Fairfield Community Action Agency will use its $100,000 grant to assist 15 low- and very-low income homeowners make necessary repairs. First established in 1965, this community-based nonprofit agency is dedicated to advancing programs, services and initiatives that provide meaningful support to residents in economic distress. In keeping with its dedication to public-private partnerships, the organization will leverage $75,000 in state, federal, and private funds in support of the USDA grant.
- Community Action Commission of Fayette County will use its $50,000 grant to assist eligible homeowners with weatherization and other necessary repairs. The USDA grant will help the organization leverage an additional $251,448 in funds from the U.S. Department of Energy, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, The Housing Trust Fund from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and the Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging. CAC Fayette County anticipates the funds ultimately will help repair or weatherize 10 homes.
- Pickaway County Community Action Organization will use its $60,373 grant to assist 15 low- and very-low income households in making home repairs and energy efficiency upgrades. The USDA award will help the agency leverage $287,954 in state funds from the Ohio Department of Development, The Ohio Housing Trust Fund, and the Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging. First organized more than 50 years ago, PICCA provides both short- and long-term support in the areas of child education, family finance, housing, and health-building opportunities for lower-income Pickaway County residents.
As noted above, the USDA Rural Development Housing Preservation Grant is administered by sponsoring organizations such as state and local government entities, non-profits, and federally-recognized Tribes. Individual homeowners are not eligible for the program, which serves rural areas with populations of 20,000 or fewer. Rental property owners also may be eligible to receive assistance if they agree to make housing units available to low- and very low-income rural residents. Eligible expenses include repairing or replacing electrical wiring, foundations, roofs, insulation, heating and cooling systems, and water and waste disposal systems. Funds also may be used to adapt homes for those with mobility or other accessibility considerations.
USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities and create jobs in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community facilities such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural areas. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov.
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