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USDA Rural Development Celebrates Homeownership

Name
Lisa Sharp
City
Sumerco
Release Date

Stella Thurston can’t stop smiling as she talks about her new home in Sumerco, Lincoln County.  Ms. Thurston qualified for loan funds through USDA Rural Development’s rural housing programs in late 2012.  Last summer, she found the perfect home and moved in.  

 Prior to applying for funds from USDA Rural Development, Ms. Thurston was living with her sister.  While it was nice, she always hoped to be able to purchase her own home.  Ms. Thurston learned about housing programs available from USDA Rural Development from her nephew and she decided to apply.  Ms. Thurston contacted the Cross Lanes office of USDA Rural Development and immediately began working with Joe McMillion and Roger Waugh.  Mr. McMillion said, “Ms. Thurston worked extremely hard to meet USDA’s application criteria and she was a well-qualified applicant.  She knew what she was looking for and once she found it everything fell into place.”

 Ms. Thurston found property in Sumerco and worked with Clayton Homes to find a house that was just right for her.  Speaking of USDA Rural Development, Ms. Thurston said, “I had a good experience.  They informed me of the process and told me what I needed to do to qualify for the funding and I did it.  You just don’t know how good it feels to finally own my own home.”  She went on to add, “I really appreciate the help that the USDA staff gave me.  They were fantastic to work with.”

 USDA Rural Development West Virginia State Director Bobby Lewis said, “Owning your own home is part of the American dream.  For most Americans, a home is the largest single investment they will make and we are excited to be part of that process.”  He went on to add, “Through 65 years of delivering housing assistance, USDA Rural Development has helped nearly 3.4 million rural homebuyers achieve the dream of homeownership.”

 Rural Development serves as the lead Federal entity for rural development needs and administers program assistance through its housing, business, community and infrastructure programs.  Further information on USDA Rural Development may be obtained by visiting USDA’s web site at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov.  In West Virginia, call 1-800-295-8228 to be put in touch with the appropriate personnel serving your county.  Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at 202.720.2600 (voice and TDD).