In the mid-1960s, Norma Leydens helped her parents build a new home in rural Pella, Iowa. She admired the clover field they chose for the site, planted trees, and carried bricks and stones to her father as he installed the masonry walls. She went on to spend her life living there. 

This past winter, a neighbor learned that Norma, now 85 years old, had not had hot water in the house for over a year. He also noted she could not access the shower. Norma, however, was determined to stay in the home despite the issues. 

“It’s a joy to live here,” she said. “I can see woods and wildlife from my window.”

Her neighbor, Tom, called the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development and asked if there were any resources out there that could help Norma finance home repairs.

The Rural Development housing team in Iowa took his call and quickly reached out to the homeowner. The team assisted with her application for funding. Jill, a neighbor who takes Norma to doctors’ appointments, facilitated email communication between Norma and the team.

From the USDA Section 504 Home Repair program, Rural Development granted $10,000 to Norma to fix health and safety issues with the house. The Agency also provided a low interest loan for $6,097. This financing allowed Norma, now dependent upon a wheelchair after a serious fall, to continue living in the house where she had spent the past 60 years.

Recently, Rural Development leaders visited her to hear about her experience with the repair program, meet the neighbors who helped out, and view the improvements. 

Home repairs included a basement drain replacement, water heater unit replacement, bathroom shower replacement, and water line replacement. Handrails in the new walk-in shower now help keep Norma from falling.

“Thank you for saving my beloved home,” Norma told her visitors. “Until you and the Rural Development team helped me, I had no hope of staying in my house that my parents and I built in 1965. I am grateful for my neighbors and the folks at Rural Development.”

For more information on USDA Rural Development housing programs, visit our website.