Today, U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack kicked off National Homeownership Month. As part of this nationwide celebration, USDA is highlighting programs that help people in rural, tribal, and underserved areas buy, build, repair, or rent affordable homes in America’s smallest towns and communities.
“Rural America is a place everyone can call home,” Vilsack said. “Whether you own or rent a home, you’re invested in and connected to the place you live. While homeownership is a good fit for many, renting also helps people invest in their communities and build wealth for their families and generations to come. This kind of support is critical now more than ever, as people in rural communities face rising housing costs. Through single family, multi-family, rental assistance, home repair, and other programs, USDA Rural Development is here to improve rural livability across the United States.
This month, the department is highlighting the ways the Biden-Harris Administration has invested $26 billion to help nearly 150,000 families and individuals in rural and tribal communities. More than 35,000 families and individuals living in socially vulnerable communities have achieved homeownership.
In addition, USDA works to increase access to affordable multifamily rental housing opportunities in rural America. The department is currently helping nearly 300,000 tenants afford to pay their rent through rental assistance. This assistance ensures low-income and elderly tenants pay no more than 30% of their income in rent. For more information, visit Multifamily Housing Programs | Rural Development (usda.gov).
USDA is working with lenders and community partners to open the door to homeownership for rural Americans who have been unserved or underserved for far too long.
USDA will be hosting events across the nation to showcase affordable housing programs for lenders, community partners, families, and individuals.
In Nebraska, events include:
June 9th: Relaunching Monthly Community Outreach Event in Plattsmouth at the Plattsmouth Public Library, 401 Avenue A, Plattsmouth, NE 68048, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.; appointments can be made by contacting Jill Straight, Single Family Housing Specialist, by phone at 402-437-5736, or e-mail jill.straight@usda.gov This event will be recurring until further notice on the second Thursday of each month.
June 9th: USDA Rural Development and Habitat for Humanity virtual symposium from 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m. (CST). Habitat for Humanity chapters may sign up to attend online here: https://bit.ly/3x4nR8D.
June 24th: Registration deadline for June 30th Single-Family Housing Symposium. Open to the public in the McCook and surrounding areas of Nebraska, there are two virtual sessions, Session 1: 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m., (CST),Session 2: 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. (CST). Registration by email: SM.RD.NE.SFHQST@usda.com. This is an opportunity for the public to learn about homeownership with no down-payment needed, and repair opportunities in rural areas through USDA Rural Development in Nebraska.
June 30th: Virtual Single-Family Housing Symposium. Session 1:12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m., (CST), Session 2: 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. (CST). Registered participants will receive a meeting invite.
June 30th: Introduction of the Monthly Community Outreach Event in McCook starting on July 6th Keystone Business Center, 3rd Floor, 402 Norris Ave, McCook, Nebraska. Walk-ins are welcome, appointments are encouraged, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.; appointments can be made by contacting Single Family Housing Specialist Durene Anderson, by phone at 308-455-9841, or e-mail durene.anderson@usda.gov This event will be recurring until further notice on the first Wednesday of each month.
USDA Rural Development in Nebraska will also be sharing some housing success stories of families who have achieved the dream of homeownership or made needed repairs to their homes, with the help of USDA Rural Development.
The Single-Family Housing Direct Home Loan Program provides loans directly to families and individuals to buy or build homes in rural areas in Nebraska. There is no down-payment requirement, loans are one hundred percent financing. This is a subsidized program with interest rates based on household size and income. Income limits do apply. These loans are made by the Single-Family Housing staff in Nebraska.
The Single-Family Housing Guaranteed Loan Program enables USDA to partner with private lending institutions, backing their loans to help families and individuals buy homes in rural areas. This is also one hundred percent financing, and the interest rate is negotiated with the lender.
The Home Repair Loan and Grant Program provides loans and grants to help families and individuals repair their homes to make them safer, healthier places to live. Loans may be amortized for up to twenty years and the interest rate is very low at 1%. Individuals must be 62 or older to potentially qualify for a grant.
The Mutual Self-Help Housing Grant Program provides grants to qualified organizations to help them carry out local self-help housing construction projects. For more information on the home purchase or home repair programs in Nebraska, you may contact the Nebraska Single Family Housing Team at: SM.RD.NE.SFHQST@usda.gov or 402-437-5551, option 1 for Single Family Housing.
The Mutual Self-Help Housing Grant Program provides grants to qualified organizations to help them carry out local self-help housing construction projects.
For more information on the home purchase or home repair programs in Nebraska, you may contact the Nebraska Single Family Housing Team at: SM.RD.NE.SFHQST@usda.gov or 402-437-5551, option 1 for Single Family Housing.
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, health care, and high-speed internet access in rural, tribal, and high-poverty areas.
For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov/ne. If you’d like to subscribe to USDA Rural Development updates, visit our GovDelivery subscriber page.
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