The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced Thursday that two New Hampshire organizations, Southwestern Community Services and Community Action Program Belknap and Merrimack Counties Inc., each received a $25,000 Housing Preservation Grant to help rural families repair and rehabilitate their homes.
"These grants will help low-income families make essential home repairs, often to remove safety and health hazards, so the families can stay in their homes," said USDA Rural Development New Hampshire and Vermont State Director Ted Brady. "The most affordable housing option for a low-income family is often the home they already live in. These improvements preserve affordable homes and save federal resources that would otherwise be spent helping to rehouse struggling families into rental housing."
Southwestern Community Services and Community Action Program Belknap and Merrimack Counties Inc. will use their housing preservation grants to help 14 rural New Hampshire families make essential repairs and energy efficient improvements to their homes. Low income homeowners interested in the program should contact the organizations directly.
USDA Rural Development’s Housing Preservation Grant (HPG) Program provides assistance to very-low and low-income homeowners to repair and rehabilitate their homes. Assistance is also available to rental property owners to repair and rehabilitate their units providing they agree to make such units available to very-low and low-income families.
President Obama's historic investments in rural America have made our rural communities stronger. Under his 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, through its RD mission area, administers and manages housing, business and community infrastructure programs through a national network of state and local offices. Rural Development has an active portfolio of more than $206.2 billion in loans and loan guarantees. These programs are designed to improve the economic stability of rural communities, businesses, residents, farmers and ranchers and improve the quality of life in rural areas. For more information on Rural Development visit the Vermont/New Hampshire Rural Development website (www.rurdev.usda.gov/nh-vtHome.html) or contact USDA RD at (802) 828-6000.