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Residents of Multi-Family Housing Complex Thankful For Aid
For Carole Fosbaugh, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Multi-Family Housing program has allowed her to age in place in rural Pennsylvania.
“I would not have been able to afford to live here and couldn’t have survived the pandemic financially without USDA’s programs for renters,” Fosbaugh said.
Fosbaugh and other renters were able to remain in their homes and provide for their families with programs such as the Emergency Rental Assistance Program.
In 2021, USDA Rural Development was able to provide needed rental assistance to the residents of Union Valley Apartment Complex in Finleyville, Pa. Apartment owners received financial assistance at the complex because of the Emergency Rental Assistance Program. Payments are made on behalf of the tenants and become part of the property’s income, which pays operational expenses. The initial construction was supported by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development or HUD program that provided a tax credit for the developer.
Many of the residents qualify for the Multifamily Housing Rental Assistance program that provides payments to owners of USDA-financed Rural Rental Housing or Farm Labor Housing projects on behalf of low-income tenants unable to pay their full rent. Rental Assistance can only be provided for apartments in new or existing Rural Rental Housing and Farm Labor Housing financed properties. Payments are made on behalf of the tenants and become part of the property’s income, which pays operational expenses.
“Available housing is a need in rural America where we are doing everything we can to assist,” State Director of Rural Development Bob Morgan said. “USDA’s multi-family housing programs are one of the main opportunities for us to increase the housing market in rural Pennsylvania. And we are taking full advantage of that. Also, the rental assistance programs help our residents especially the elderly residents age in place.”
Since 2021, USDA has invested $154.2 million in Pennsylvania on its Multi-Family Housing program. The Rental Assistance programs have seen investments of $125.7 million of which $2.4 million was administered to 156 renters through the American Rescue Plan.
Most of the renters at the Union Valley complex are on a fix income and drastic economic changes such as the pandemic can cause them serious financial hardship.
David Pham a resident of Union Valley was able to better care for his elderly mother which keeps him from maintaining a full-time job of his own. The rental assistance was vital to his ability to care for his mom and provide for himself.
“We are very thankful,” Pham said, discussing his experiences working with the USDA.
In total, Union Valley Apartment Complex residents have received $219,466 through the rental assistance program.
Rural Development has a multitude of programs that help communities expand upon their existing assets and assist in creating an infrastructure to help improve the lives of rural residents. For Linda Pickett, the opportunity to own a home has long seemed to be a distant reality.… [Read More]