USDA Has Home Repair Loans Available …Recognizes Capital Well of Concord For Assistance to Rural Working Class Homeowners

The nation’s top rural housing chief, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Housing Service Administrator Tony Hernandez, was at a home in Dalton Friday to promote a special low-interest, long-term home repair loan program to help working class families make necessary home repairs. During the visit Hernandez recognized Dunbarton-based Capital Well Clean Water Center for its commitment to serving low income rural residents.

“Hardworking, low-income New Hampshire residents have access to a best-in-the-nation USDA loan program for making necessary home repairs,” said Hernandez. “These loans can help working class families address life and safety hazards in their homes.”

Hernandez presented a Gold Star Recognition Award to Capital Well’s President Mike Dragon at the home of Eric and Charity Dwyer. The young family of three was living without access to safe drinking water until they received a $5,000 home repair loan from USDA Rural Development in the beginning of August. The family used the loan to hire Capital Well to construct them a new well. Capital Well provides well and water services across New Hampshire, parts of Vermont and Maine.

The Gold Star Recognition Award is an honor USDA Rural Development employees across New Hampshire and Vermont nominate their fellow employees or external partners for when an individual or organization goes above and beyond their normal duties. Berlin-based USDA Housing Specialist Janice Daniels nominated Capital Well Clean Water Center for the award. She said the firm repeatedly found a way to get difficult jobs done under tight budgets and tight timelines.

USDA Rural Development New Hampshire and Vermont State Director Ted Brady said that Capital Well has donated more than $25,000 to customers in the North Country that have used USDA loans to finance well work with Capital Well.

The Dwyer family financed their new well through USDA Rural Development’s 504 Home Repair Program. The program provides very-low income rural homeowners (approximately $35,000 annually, with some exceptions) a one percent-interest, fixed-rate loan of up to $20,000 for essential things like leaky roof repairs, improving accessibility, or even upgrades to heating and cooling systems to make a home more energy efficient. For more information on the USDA’s Home Repair program www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/single-family-housing-repair-loans-grants .

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 $212 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 New Hampshire Rural Development website (www.rd.usda.gov/nh) or contact USDA RD at (603) 223-6035.