Programs to Help People Buy, Build, Repair and Rent Homes in Rural, Tribal and Underserved Communities
HURON, S.D., June 7, 2022 – Today, during the first full week of June, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development State Director for South Dakota Nikki Gronli kicked off National Homeownership Month. As part of this nationwide celebration, USDA is highlighting programs that help people in rural, Tribal and underserved areas buy, build and repair affordable homes and to pay their rent in America’s smallest towns and communities.
“As we look forward to a ‘new normal’ of building our economy back better in 2022 and beyond, RD is there to support rural Americans at any stage — whether that’s starting a new job, moving to a new town, or any other life change brought about by the pandemic or other impactful event,” Gronli said. “When you own or rent a home, you’re invested in and connected to where you live. Through single family, multi-family, rental assistance, home repair and other programs, USDA Rural Development is here to grow rural residency in the United States.”
Expanding opportunities for homeownership and rental assistance strengthens rural communities and helps families and individuals build wealth and achieve financial stability. This month, the Agency is highlighting the ways that USDA has invested $239.2 million since the beginning of fiscal year 2021. These investments have helped more than 1,400 families and individuals in South Dakota’s rural and Tribal communities buy, repair and build homes through USDA Rural Development’s single family housing programs.
In addition, USDA works to increase access to affordable multifamily rental housing opportunities in rural America. Rural Development has helped nearly 800 tenants in South Dakota since fiscal year 2021 afford to pay their rent through rental assistance. This assistance ensures low-income and elderly tenants pay no more than 30% of their income in rent. For more information, visit Multifamily Housing Programs | Rural Development (usda.gov). For a listing of available rural rental properties in South Dakota that are eligible for USDA’s rental assistance and tenant voucher programs, visit http://rdmfhrentals.sc.egov.usda.gov/RDMFHRentals/select_state.jsp.
USDA is also highlighting ways it is working with lenders and community partners to open the door to homeownership for rural Americans who have been unserved or underserved for far too long.
For example, here in South Dakota, USDA wouldn’t be able to assist as many families and individuals with affordable homeownership through the Single Family Housing Guaranteed Loan Program without the help of our private lending partnerships. So far in fiscal year 2022, USDA has guaranteed the loans of 136 families and individuals – an investment of nearly $24 million – in partnership with the following private lending institutions:
- Plains Commerce Bank
- First Dakota National Bank
- Bankwest Inc.
- Dakotaland Federal Credit Union
- First Bank & Trust
USDA is hosting events across the nation to showcase affordable housing programs for lenders, community partners, families and individuals. USDA’s single-family housing programs are:
- The Single Family Housing Direct Home Loan Program provides loans directly to families and individuals so they can buy or build homes in rural America.
- The Single Family Housing Guaranteed Loan Program enables USDA to partner with private lending institutions, backing their loans to help families and individuals buy homes in rural areas.
- The Home Repair Loan and Grant Program provides loans and grants to help families and individuals repair their homes to make them safer, healthier places to live.
- The Mutual Self-Help Housing Grant Program provides grants to qualified organizations to help them carry out local self-help housing construction projects.
- Visit the Single Family Housing program webpage, or contact your local Rural Development office to learn more about USDA homeownership programs near you.
Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities, create jobs and improve the quality of life for millions of Americans 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, Tribal and high-poverty areas. If you’d like to subscribe to USDA South Dakota Rural Development updates, visit our GovDelivery subscriber page.
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