Boyceville resident David Jacott is heading into winter with greater peace of mind, knowing his home is better protected against ice and water damage. Through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development (RD) Single Family Housing Repair Loans & Grants Program, David received funding to install new gutters and properly slope the concrete away from his house to prevent ice buildup and foundation issues.

“This program changes everything,” David said. 

I tell everyone I can about it.”

Before the updates, water issues in David’s home would cause water to come into the garage and seep down to the foundation. The water would freeze over in the winter and create large ice patches, creating a serious fall risk. 

David’s story is a great example of how ongoing investment in home repairs can help homeowners maintain safe, livable homes over the long term. The Single Family Housing Repair Loans & Grants Program (also referred to as the 504 Home Repair Program) provides loans to very low-income homeowners to repair, improve or modernize their homes. The program also provides grants to eligible elderly who are very low-income homeowners so they can remove health and safety hazards.

The program provides essential support to individuals and families in rural areas by addressing critical health and safety issues in their homes. By offering loans and grants to eligible homeowners, the program helps ensure that people can remain safely in their homes, avoiding costly relocations or unsafe living conditions.

“USDA Rural Development is committed to improving housing in rural Wisconsin,” said State Director Andrew C. Iverson. “These investments have assisted with home repairs and improved or modernized homes in rural Wisconsin. Affordable, stable housing is the foundation that helps rural communities stay healthy and prosperous. In turn, those communities contribute to a thriving, healthy rural Wisconsin that we can all be proud of for generations to come.”

“I’m able to stay in my home now for the rest of my life with less fear 

of a slip and fall outside now,” David said.

With interest rates at one percent, repayment of a 20-year term $10,000 loan would be $45.99 per month. The low interest rate and 20-year term assists in making home repairs affordable for very low-income families in rural areas. 

Several criteria must be met to apply. The applicant must:

• Be the homeowner and occupy the house
• Be unable to obtain affordable credit elsewhere
• Have a household income that does not exceed the very low limit by county; and
• For grants, be age 62 or older.

USDA RD has invested over $650,648 in loans and grants for rural Wisconsinites through the 504 Home Repair program in fiscal year 2025.

More information about the Single Family Housing Repair Loans & Grants Program is available online, here: rd.usda.gov/programs-services/single-family-housing-programs/single-family-housing-repair-loans-grants/wi.

Boyceville homeowner David Jacott stands in front of a new gutter on the new, correctly sloped concrete that was recently set at his home with help from funding through the USDA RD Single Family Housing Repair Loans & Grants Program. Photo by Kelsey Kuehnhold / USDA RD