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USDA Seeks Applications for Grants to Help Repair Housing in Rural Communities, Deadline Extended

Name
Erin McDuff
City
Portland
Release Date

USDA Rural Development is seeking applications for grants to make housing repairs for low- and very-low-income rural residents, and has extended the deadline to March 15, 2016. The grants are being provided through USDA Rural Development’s Housing Preservation Grant Program.

This program are intended to help rural homeowners and rental housing owners repair and improve their properties. Funds may be used to resolve health or safety issues, make accessibility modifications for people with disabilities, or make energy efficiency improvements to reduce utility costs.

Eligibility and Funding:

Eligible applicants for Housing Preservation Grants include town or county governments, public agencies, federally recognized Indian Tribes, nonprofits, and faith-based organizations. USDA does not provide funding directly to homeowners under this program. For additional eligibility information, see page 81279 of the December 29, 2015, Federal Register.

Funding is limited, and applications will be evaluated on a competitive basis with scoring preference for applications that serve very-low-income households, demonstrate leveraged funding, show the applicant's capacity to successfully manage a housing repair program, and address other considerations as listed in the Federal Register notice.

The current funding level for Oregon applicants has not yet been released. Last year, $50,000 in Housing Preservation Grant funding was directed to one awardee in the state.

How to Apply:

Applicants wishing to apply, with the exception of federally recognized tribes, must make their statement of activities available to the public for comment in a newspaper of general circulation in the project area at least 16 days prior to the pre-application deadline.

Electronic pre-application forms must be submitted online by 5:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time on March 15, 2016. Those who wish to submit a paper application must ensure receipt at the Oregon State Office (address below) before 5:00 PM local time:

          USDA Rural Development *
          ATTN: Faith Harris
          1220 SW 3rd Avenue, Suite 1801
          Portland, OR 97204

For additional information about the extended deadline, see page 3099 of the January 20, 2016, Federal Register.

President Obama’s plan for rural America has produced historic investments in rural communities. Under the President’s leadership, these investments in housing, community facilities, businesses and infrastructure have strengthened America’s small towns and cities and helped improve the nation’s economy.