BOZEMAN, Mont., June 1, 2022 – United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Montana State Director Kathleen Williams today kicked off National Homeownership Month. As part of this nationwide celebration, USDA is highlighting programs that help Montanans in rural, Tribal and underserved areas buy, build and repair affordable homes and to pay their rent in the state's smaller towns and communities.
"Everyone deserves safe, reliable, accessible housing," stated Williams. "With housing costs increasing across Montana, we are proud to help ensure housing can be a reality for many who might otherwise be left behind."
Expanding opportunities for homeownership and rental assistance strengthens rural communities and helps families and individuals build wealth and achieve financial stability. This month, USDA Rural Development Montana is highlighting the nearly $137 million investment in the state in 2021 to help nearly 670 families and individuals in Montana's rural and Tribal communities buy, repair and build homes through USDA Rural Development’s single family housing programs.
In addition, USDA works to increase access to affordable multifamily rental housing opportunities in rural America. Nationwide, 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 Rural Development is also highlighting ways it is working with lenders and community partners to open the door to homeownership for rural Montanans who have been unserved or underserved for far too long through our single-family housing programs, which include: ·
- The Single Family Housing Direct Home Loan Program provides loans directly to families and individuals so they can buy or build homes in rural communities.
- 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.
- 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.
- The Mutual Self-Help Housing Grant Program provides grants to qualified organizations to help them carry out local self-help housing construction projects.
CLICK HERE to see an example of how our Single Family Housing Team is making an impact in rural Montana.
For more information, visit the Single Family Housing program webpage or contact Katina Uecker at (406) 210-9728 or Katina.Uecker@usda.gov.
USDA Rural Development is an investor, ally and advocate for rural America and provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities and create jobs 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 areas. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov/mt.
If you’d like to subscribe to USDA Rural Development updates, visit our GovDelivery subscriber page.
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USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.