This year, USDA is investing $4.8 million to assist rural families to repair and rehabilitate their homes nationwide via the Historic Preservation Grant (HPG) Program. The HPG program is a grant program which provides qualified public agencies, private nonprofit organizations, and other eligible entities grant funds to assist very low- and low-income homeowners in repairing and rehabilitating their homes in rural areas. In addition, the HPG program assists rental property owners and cooperative housing complexes in repairing and rehabilitating their units if they agree to make such units available to low- and very low-income persons.
“North Carolina is investing a total of $140,080 to help very-low to low-income rural families repair and rehabilitate their homes, said Randall Gore, USDA Rural Development State Director. This program is an example of USDA’s commitment to providing access to safe, affordable housing in rural areas.”
This year, USDA is providing grants for 107 projects in 46 states and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. View the list of recipients. Funding is contingent upon the recipients meeting the terms of their grant agreement. Since 2009, USDA has provided more than $43 million in Housing Preservation Grants that have leveraged almost $153 million to repair and rehabilitate nearly 11,000 homes and apartments in rural communities.
Watagua Avery Mitchell Yancey (WAMY) Community Action located in Boone, NC is receiving $63,036 to assist 12 families. The County of Rockingham is receiving $42,024 for 30 local homes. Cape Fear Regional CDC in Wilmington, NC is receiving $21,012 to help five families and Pitt County Planning in Greenville, NC is receiving $14,008.
USDA Rural Development invests in jobs, infrastructure, community development, health, education, homeownership and affordable rental housing to improve the economic health of rural communities. In Fiscal Year 2014, the agency invested more than $1.4 billion in rural North Carolina through affordable loans, loan guarantees and grants. USDA, through its Rural Development mission area, has an active portfolio of more than $206 billion in loans and loan guarantees. For more information on North Carolina Rural Development programs visit www.rurdev.usda.gov/nc.
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.