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Success Stories

A mother and three daughters pose around a dining room table. There are lace curtains and blue wall in the background and some dishes on the table in the foreground.

“This is Home” – A Family Finds Their Forever Home in Calais, Maine

One of the first rooms Heather Gagne and her daughters began redecorating in their new home is the dining room, shown in the top photo. They have been busy repainting and making other updates. Raising a family in coastal Machias, Maine may sound lovely, but for Heather Gagne recent years proved stressful. There were few housing options in the Downeast community, and Heather was glad to find a rental home to…
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Use the filters below to find additional stories about how our programs have helped rural communities across the nation.

Search Results: 128 Stories
Mrs. Perez shared that this new chapter represents more than just a house.

A Dream Becomes Home in Arecibo

For years, Mrs. Perez has called the beautiful town of Arecibo home. As the proud owner of Patriarca, a beloved artisanal shop in the community, she has always poured her heart into serving her neighbors. Yet despite her hard work and dedication, she continued to live in a… [Read More]
Puerto Rico
HomeownershipHousingRural Development
key

A New Beginning for a Mother and Her Son in Hatillo, Puerto Rico

For several years, Mrs. Cruz and her young son had been living in a rented house in Hatillo. As a dedicated single mother to her three‑year‑old boy, Mrs. Cruz dreamed of giving her son the stability and security that comes with owning a home of their own.In 2025, she took the… [Read More]
Puerto Rico
HomeownershipHousing
The Putman residence in Bath, NY

Rebuilding Hope in Rural New York: The Putman Family’s Road to Recovery

 What began as a warm and tranquil August morning in Bath, New York, quickly turned into ravaging storm. Tropical Storm Debby unleashed powerful winds and relentless rain in upstate New York, including the southern tier region of Steuben, Allegany, Broome, and… [Read More]
New York
Housing
Esther McCoy with her dog in front of her home

South Dakota Governor’s House Program – Providing Affordable Housing for 30 Years

For many families in rural South Dakota, finding safe, affordable housing can be a significant challenge. Through the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development Single Family Housing Program and the South Dakota Governor’s House program at the Mike Durfee State Prison in… [Read More]
South Dakota
HomeownershipHousingTribal
A woman in a pink dress sits on her front porch.

A Home Saved, A Life Restored: The Impact of USDA Rural Development Funding

Maureen's wall was crumbling and propped up by boards prior to the repairs.  In the heart of rural Washington County, Pennsylvania, 72-year-old Maureen Bird faced a crisis that threatened her safety. Her modest home was built almost 100… [Read More]
Pennsylvania
Home RepairHomeownershipHousing
Two people talk to each other in a house

A Home, A Van, and A More Accessible Life in Iowa

When Janice Roudabush was younger, she loved to ride motorcycles. “When I had my accident, I woke up afterwards, and I literally thought I had wrecked my semi, not my motorcycle,” Janice said. “It took me a little while to figure out that I had lost the use of my legs. It took… [Read More]
Iowa
Housing
A USDA loan specialist stands on the steps of a house with the new homeowner and her family

USDA Rural Development and Habitat for Humanity Partner to Promote Homeownership for Northeast Iowa Family

Chasity, the mother of two children in Independence, Iowa, knew her family needed a better place to live. She reached out to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development (RD) to talk about a mortgage.Iowa Heartland Habitat for Humanity owned an old house in town… [Read More]
Iowa
Housing
SFH Recipient Candace, Habitat, and USDA staff

Will County Resident Achieves Homeownership Dream through USDA Rural Development Single Family Housing Program, Habitat for Humanity, and Illinois Housing Department Authority Collab

CHAMPAIGN, IL, March 5th, 2025 - Homeownership has become an increasingly difficult achievement for many Americans. Will County resident, Candace, was recently able to achieve her dream on Feb 27th, 2025, thanks to a collaboration between four organizations: USDA Rural… [Read More]
Illinois
Housing

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