USDA Rural Development under Secretary Lisa Mensah today announced grants to preserve and repair affordable housing for very-low- and low-income families living in rural areas.
“Housing Preservation Grants are an excellent source of funding to help folks keep up a safe and energy-efficient home that is in good repair,” Mensah said. “This funding will go a long way toward helping maintain the value of rural residents’ homes and preserve the supply of safe, affordable housing in rural America.”
USDA is awarding $3.9 million in Housing Preservation Grants to 107 organizations in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and in every state except Montana and Washington.
In Wisconsin, Community Development Alternatives, Inc., in Prairie du Chien, will receive funds to help five very-low income homeowners make repairs to their homes. Additionally, in Vernon County, Couleecap, Inc. will use funds to help six very-low income homeowners make repairs. These grants will help rural homeowners make health, safety and accessibility improvements. The repairs will allow very-low-income and elderly homeowners to remain in their homes.
Nationally, these grants will renovate 966 rural housing units. Grant funds can be used to remove health and safety hazards, make homes more energy efficient, and modernize the units. Eligible recipients include local governments, public agencies, federally recognized Indian Tribes, nonprofit organizations and faith-based and community groups. They distribute the grants to homeowners and owners of multi-family rental properties or cooperative dwellings who rent to low- and very-low-income residents.
The organizations receiving the grants determine which local projects to support.
Funding for all awards is contingent upon the recipients meeting the terms of their grant agreement.
USDA has provided $51 million in Housing Preservation Grants since the start of the Obama Administration. These grants have leveraged more than $184 million to repair and rehabilitate nearly 13,000 homes and apartments in rural communities.
USDA Rural Development’s funding continues to have a dramatic impact on rural communities across Wisconsin. During the past year, USDA Rural Development invested nearly $577 million on essential public facilities, small and emerging businesses, water and sewer systems, and housing opportunities throughout rural Wisconsin. The agency’s investment helped create or retain more than 1,560 jobs; aided 3,000 families in buying their own homes; and assisted more than 80 communities in improving community facilities and upgrading local infrastructure. USDA Rural Development’s mission is to deliver programs in a way that will support increasing economic opportunity and improve the quality of life of rural residents. For more information on USDA Rural Development programs visit USDA’s web site at www.rd.usda.gov/wi.