Today, residents at Trail Apartments, along with several partner organizations and federal agencies, celebrated the completion of a 24-unit affordable housing complex rehabilitation in Boardman, Oregon.
“The Obama Administration and Secretary of Agriculture Vilsack are committed to improving living conditions in small towns and rural communities while ensuring affordable rents for working families,” said USDA Rural Development Oregon State Director Vicki Walker. “Our integrated program delivery is helping to meet the needs of a rapidly evolving rural landscape, in part by providing the modern housing needed to support local business and economic development.”
Trail Apartments was constructed in 1981 with assistance from a $701,300 loan from the USDA Rural Development to ensure the availability of affordable rental housing for rural working families.
The Housing Authority of the County of Umatilla purchased the property in 2013 and renovated the 24 units, replacing building exteriors, rebuilding interiors, and adding a new play area and a community meeting room. USDA Rural Development worked closely with the housing authority to help them assume the remaining balance of the USDA loan and preserve USDA rental assistance for qualified low-income families living at the complex.
The renovations provided 137 temporary construction jobs for this small community, while also helping to protect the environment and reduce utility costs for residents through the addition of energy-efficient heating, cooling, and lighting; high-efficiency plumbing fixtures; water-efficient irrigation; and drought-tolerant native landscaping.
President Obama’s plan for rural America has brought about historic investment and resulted in stronger rural communities. Under the President's 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. USDA's investments in rural communities support the rural way of life that stands as the backbone of our American values. President Obama and Agriculture Secretary Vilsack are committed to a smarter use of federal resources to foster sustainable economic prosperity and ensure the government is a strong partner for businesses, entrepreneurs and working families in rural communities.