The U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development has recently announced an increase in income limits for their homeownership programs. The direct home ownership program provides subsidized loans in rural areas to purchase or construct a single family home.
Applicants interested in obtaining a direct home loan must have an adjusted income that is at or below the applicable low-income limit based on their size of household and the county where they wish to buy a house. Adequate funding remains available for the direct loan program.
The income limit for most counties in Nebraska for a one person household is $34,150, two person $39,050, three person $43,900, four person $48,800; five person $52,700 and six person $56,600. However, higher income limits may be applicable in some counties. A full list of income limits by county and household size are available on the Rural Development website at www.rd.usda.gov/ne.
The increased income limits and low interest rates may make it a good time for eligible families to purchase a home through the USDA Rural Development Direct Home Loan Program. The direct loan program offers 100% financing and rates are currently available at 3.125%. Depending on household incomes, mortgage payments may be further subsidized to as low as one percent interest rate. Applicants must have acceptable credit history and repayment ability. Credit scores of 640 or greater are typically considered as acceptable, however, credit scores below 640 may also be considered with additional credit analysis.
Maxine Moul, State Director said, ““Home ownership should be an achievable dream and in many cases, USDA housing programs provide the only way for rural residents to buy a home,”
All communities in Nebraska are eligible for USDA Rural Development housing programs with the exceptions of Fremont, Grand Island, Hastings, Kearney, Lincoln, North Platte, Omaha and South Sioux City/Dakota City. Visit http://www.rd.usda.gov/ne and click on the link for “Single Family Housing Direct Home Loans” under Key Feature Programs for more information and a list of contact information. You may also contact Single Family Housing Specialist Krista Mettscher at 402-437-5518, krista.mettscher@ne.usda.gov.
President Obama’s plan for rural America has brought about historic investment and resulted in stronger rural communities. Under the President’s leadership, these investments in housing, community facilities, businesses and infrastructure have empowered rural America to continue leading the way – strengthening America’s economy, small towns and rural communities. USDA’s investments in rural communities support the rural way of life that stands as the backbone of our American values.