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Rural Development Disaster Assistance

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

The USDA Rural Development Disaster Assistance is crucial for rural communities affected by crises and disasters. It offers essential support to homeowners, businesses, and communities to aid in their recovery and rebuilding process. If you are facing immediate needs due to a disaster and live in a President-declared disaster area, we recommend first seeking assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

 

USDA Rural Development Resources

The Resource Guide provides information on programs and services offered by RD and other government agencies. It aims to support rural residents, businesses, and communities impacted by disasters by helping them with long-term recovery and planning efforts. 

We Care Letters are generated for RD Home loan borrowers when a major disaster occurs in a state. We want you to know that USDA Rural Development is here to help you when a disaster happens and causes damage to your property or affects your income. Our aim is to make sure you are aware of the assistance we can provide during these difficult times. 

Program Resources

Single Family Housing Repair Loans & Grants in Presidentially Declared Disasters Pilot

The Section 504 Home Repair Loans & Grants in Presidentially Declared Disasters Pilot program provides loans and grants to very-low-income homeowners to repair disaster related damage caused to their homes. 

Single Family Housing

Rural Development’s Single Family Housing Programs, 502 Home Loan and 504 Home Repair, give families and individuals the opportunity to buy, build, or repair affordable homes located in rural America following a disaster. For disasters that occurred in calendar year 2022, the Rural Disaster Home Repair Grant Program is also available.  

Multifamily Housing

Multifamily Housing assists rural property owners through loans, loan guarantees, and grants that enable owners to develop and rehabilitate properties for low-income, elderly, disabled individuals and families as well as domestic farm laborers following a disaster. To learn more, view the fact sheet and visit the Multifamily Housing Rental Map to find available rentals in your area.

Essential Community Facilities

Programs offer direct loans, loan guarantees and grants to help essential public services and facilities in communities across rural America recover from a disaster.  Existing CF program borrowers who are impacted by a natural disaster may be eligible for various servicing options.  

Water & Environmental Programs

Through Rural Utilities Service Water and Environmental Programs, rural communities obtain the technical assistance through the Circuit Rider Program program or the use of ECWAG to recover drinking water and waste disposal systems damaged during a disaster.   

Tribal Relations

Rural Development’s Disaster Assistance programs support the economic, cultural, and environmental priorities of Tribes through the Water and Waste Facility Loans and Grants to Alleviate Health Risks on Tribal Lands and ECWAG.

Business Programs

Our Disaster Assistance business programs partner with the U.S. Small Business Administration to provide financial backing and technical assistance to stimulate business creation and growth following a disaster. We are dedicated to promoting economic growth, innovation, and the well-being of rural communities. 

Key Programs for Disaster Assistance

Rural Disaster Home Repair Grants

The program is available to low-income recipients to make essential repairs, and to remove health and safety hazards due to a disaster.

Community Facilities Disaster Repair Grants

Community Facilities Disaster Repair Grants available for repairing essential community facilities in rural areas damaged by Presidentially Declared Disasters in 2022.

Calendar Year 2022 Disaster Water Grants

Rural communities of 35,000 or fewer people with expenses related to water systems damaged by a Presidentially declared disaster in Calendar Year 2022. 

State Office Contact

Learn more about how RD can help support your recovery needs RD Service Offices are locations where you can connect with Rural Development employees to address your disaster assistance requirements.