Investments to Improve Housing and Provide Technical Assistance
for Some of Utah's Most Disadvantaged Rural Communities
WASHINGTON, Nov. 18, 2021 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced the Department is investing $86 million to improve equitable access to jobs, business opportunities, education, housing and health care for people who live and work in rural areas. The investments are part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to ensure that people living in rural communities have equitable access to the infrastructure and opportunities often taken for granted by people living in urban and suburban areas.
“Regardless of where they live, their race, ethnicity or gender, or the size of the town in which they live, all people must have access to good jobs, decent housing, clean water and good job opportunities,” Vilsack said. “This is foundational to a healthy society and stable communities. Today’s announcements build on the historic investments made possible by the American Rescue Plan Act signed into law by President Biden to ensure equity during a time when people living in underserved places are suffering the most. The investments I am announcing today will go a long way toward helping America ‘Build Back Better’ toward a just and more equitable society.”
Three projects in Utah are included in today's announcement:
- Community Rebuilds is receiving a $50,000 Housing Preservation Grant to provide financial assistance to low-income households to eliminate health and safety hazards. These funds are provided to the local nonprofit organization, Community Rebuilds, to provide funding and technical assistance for health and safety repairs on low-income homes such as electrical repairs, roofing, windows, plumbing, heating systems and more. With the additional applicant contribution of $300 and Rural Development grant funds of $50,000, ten low-income homes will be provided decent, safe and sanitary living conditions.
- Uintah Basin Association of Governments is receiving a $52,245 Housing Preservation Grant to provide financial assistance to low-income households to eliminate health and safety hazards. These funds are provided to provide funding and technical assistance for health and safety repairs on low-income homes such as electrical repairs, roofing, windows, plumbing, heating systems and more. With the additional state contribution from the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) of $180,000 and Rural Development grant funds of $52,245, the Association predicts they will be able to assist at least 30 households with decent, safe and sanitary living conditions.
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The Center for Humanitarian Outreach and Inter-cultural Exchange (CHOICE Humanitarian) is receiving a $250,000 Rural Community Development Initiative Grant Grant to provide training & technical assistance to the Native Builders and Navajo Hopi Land Commission Office with courses focusing on organizational development capacity, housing escrow fund utilization, leveraging and accessing additional funding, and planning for home site leases. This instruction will provide the necessary training and information to 2,187 Navajo tribal members to construct safe, sanitary, viable communities within the Navajo nation. Financial management and technology training will also be provided to the chapters for continued success.
Vilsack highlighted 218 investments that USDA is making in six programs specifically designed to help people and businesses in rural areas. These programs include Tribal College Initiative Grants, Rural Community Development Initiative Grants, Housing Preservation Grants, Delta Health Care Grants, Socially Disadvantaged Group Grants and Water and Waste Disposal Grants.
The funding will help more than 425,000 people in 46 states, Puerto Rico and the Western Pacific. They reflect the many ways USDA Rural Development helps rural residents, businesses and communities address economic development, infrastructure and social service needs. They will help low-income people make health and safety repairs to their homes. They will help build and improve water and wastewater infrastructure for people living in U.S. communities along the Mexico border. They will help rural business owners in the Mississippi Delta get access to capital and business development assistance. They also will help colleges that serve Tribal populations upgrade campus buildings and services.
The 218 awards Secretary Vilsack announced today are being made in Alaska, Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Vermont, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and the Western Pacific.
Under the Biden-Harris Administration, 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. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov. USDA Rural Development is prioritizing projects that will support key priorities under the Biden-Harris Administration to help rural America build back better and stronger. Key priorities include combating the COVID-19 pandemic; addressing the impacts of climate change; and advancing equity in rural America. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov/priority-points. If you’d like to subscribe to USDA Rural Development updates, visit our GovDelivery subscriber page.
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USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender.