The Federal Government provides money for people in rural areas to improve their standard of living.
The United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Rural Development agency administers grant funding to qualified individuals to help improve living conditions in their homes. Monetary awards provide people, who cannot obtain commercial loans in rural areas, an opportunity to obtain necessities to make their homes safer, healthier and improve overall quality of life.
Rural Repair and Rehabilitation Grants
The Department of Agriculture's Very Low Income Housing Repair initiative provides funding to individual homeowners who cannot afford to repair or upgrade their property so as to eliminate dangerous health and safety hazards. Eligible property owners must have income less than 50 percent of the median income for the area where they live and cannot be eligible for credit from any other source. Funding is only for improvements that make the home safer and healthier for its occupants. Monies are only available for people 62 years of age or older who are unable to repay loans previously issued by the government. The maximum grant amount is $7,500 and a portion of that amount is eligible for recapture should the property be sold within three years. Additional information is provided by following the USDA Service Center Locator link on the USDA website.
Individual Water and Waste Water Grants
Individual Water and Waste Water funding is available to persons living in areas designated as a colonia prior to October 1, 1989. A colonia is an area of land developed into a subdivision to provide very low-income housing to people in Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and California. Homeowners in a colonia often build their homes in stages, as they become able to afford necessary materials and, in most cases, do not have basic utilities, such as electricity and running water. Funding from the program will provide water utility hook-up to the home and install plumbing and related devices like sinks, toilets, water heaters and bathtubs. Eligible people must own a dwelling located in a colonia, have income below the poverty level and not be behind on any loans from the federal government. Individuals cannot receive more than $3,500 to pay for water line hook-up and/or the building of bathroom facilities. If the project includes sewer line connection, the maximum funding amount is $4,000. Further information about this grant program can be found at the USDA Service Center Locator site.
High Energy Cost Grant Program
Individuals, as well as non-profit groups, state and local governments and others, may apply for High Energy Cost Grants. Funding is for the upgrading of energy systems and services that provide electric power to rural areas with household energy costs that exceed the national average by more than 275 percent. Grant funds may cover the expense of constructing new facilities and the cost of purchasing existing equipment. Award amounts must be utilized for no less than 96 percent of the project's cost with 4 percent of grant money allowed for administrative expenses.
Rural Development Electric Programs
U.S. Department of Agriculture
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Stop 1562, Room 5165-South
Washington, DC 20250
202-720-9545
usda.gov
Tags: Department Agriculture, rural areas, than percent, their homes, Center Locator, Energy Cost
