U.S. Dept. of Agriculture Rural Development State Director for Michigan James J. Turner today announced the agency is currently accepting applications from low and very low-income families for loans to rehabilitate or improve homes located in rural communities with a population of 20,000 or less.
“Last year alone 311 Michigan rural homeowners were able to make necessary improvements to their homes,” Turner said. “USDA Rural Development’s Home Repair Program is an affordable way to keep your home safe, accessible and energy efficient.”
USDA Rural Development’s Home Repair Program provides very-low income rural homeowners with 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.
Seniors age 62 and older, who cannot qualify for a loan, may be eligible for a grant of up to $7,500, or a loan and grant combination to make needed repairs and improvements. Residents of urban areas are not eligible to apply.
To learn more, visit www.rd.usda.gov/mi or call (toll-free) 1-800-944-8119.
USDA Rural Development State Director for Michigan James J. Turner was appointed by President Barack Obama in 2009. USDA, through its Rural Development mission area, has a portfolio of programs designed to improve the economic stability of rural communities, businesses, residents, farmers and ranchers and improve the quality of life in rural America. Under the Obama Administration, USDA Rural Development has invested more than $6.5 billion in Michigan projects.