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USDA Makes Grants Available for Organizations to Help People in Rural New Mexico to Repair Homes Damaged by Forest Fires in 2022

Name
Ernie Watson
Phone
City
Albuquerque, N.M.
Release Date

WASHINGTON, April 20, 2023 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development New Mexico State Director Patricia Dominguez today announced the availability of grants for organizations to help people repair homes they own or rent that were damaged by forest fires in calendar year 2022. The homes must be located in eligible rural areas and presidentially declared disaster areas.  

“The Biden-Harris Administration and USDA stand ready to deploy every resource at our disposal to help families and individuals rebuild their lives and their communities,” Dominguez said. “The assistance I'm announcing today will help make sure people in rural areas across this state who have been impacted by natural disasters in calendar year 2022 have the the resources they need to rebuild their lives and their homes.  This funding is critical because we know that rural America is home to millions of people who make up America’s spirit and character.”

The grants are being made available through supplemental disaster funding under the Housing Preservation Grants program. Organizations may apply to receive up to $50,000 to help people make repairs to their homes that were damaged by natural disasters in calendar year 2022.

Eligible organizations include state and local governments, federally recognized Indian tribes and nonprofits.

The organizations may use the funds to provide grants or low-interest loans to repair or rehabilitate housing for low- and very low-income residents. For example, funds may be used to:

  • ·         Repair or replace electrical wiring, foundations, roofs, insulation, heating systems and water/waste disposal systems.
  • ·         Support accessibility features.
  • ·         Purchase construction materials.
  • ·         Finance administrative expenses up to 20%.

Funds may be used in the following presidentially declared disaster areas of: Colfax, Lincoln, Mora, San Miguel and Valencia counties.

Completed preapplications for grants must be submitted by paper or electronically by 4:30 p.m. local time June 5, 2023. For additional information, see page 24148 of the April 19, 2023, Federal Register.

For more information on how to apply, contact USDA Rural Development State Office at 505-761-4950 or visit https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/single-family-housing-programs/housing-preservation-grants.

Background

The Biden-Harris Administration championed the bill known as the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023, that made this funding possible. Funds will remain available until expended.

In the coming months, USDA expects to announce additional funding availability under the bill to help rural people in presidentially declared disaster areas who were impacted by natural disasters in 2022. This additional funding will help rural communities repair water infrastructure and essential community facilities.

Additional resources to support rural communities seeking disaster assistance are available at https://www.rd.usda.gov/page/rural-development-disaster-assistance. 

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. To subscribe to USDA Rural Development updates, visit our GovDelivery subscriber page.

USDA touches the lives of all Americans each day in so many positive ways. Under the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA is transforming America’s food system with a greater focus on more resilient local and regional food production, promoting competition and fairer markets for all producers, ensuring access to safe, healthy and nutritious food in all communities, building new markets and streams of income for farmers and producers using climate-smart food and forestry practices, making historic investments in infrastructure and clean energy capabilities in rural America, and committing to equity across the Department by removing systemic barriers and building a workforce more representative of America. To learn more, visit www.usda.gov.  

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