Release No. 0412.09
Contact:
Weldon Freeman (202) 690-1384
AGRICULTURE SECRETARY VILSACK ANNOUNCES $600,000 FOR GRANTS TO REPAIR RURAL HOUSING
WASHINGTON, Aug. 28, 2009 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that eight organizations have been selected to receive $600,000 in grants to help low- and very-low-income rural residents repair their homes. The funds are being provided under USDA Rural Development's Housing Preservation Grant program. Victor Vasquez, Deputy Under Secretary for Rural Development, will make the announcement on behalf of Vilsack in Ketchikan, Alaska.
"Housing is the cornerstone of all thriving, stable communities, and every American deserves to live in safe and decent home," Vilsack said. "These grants will help rural residents make needed repairs and energy-saving upgrades, and continue making investments to strengthen communities throughout the country."
The funds are being awarded to intermediaries - such as local governments, Indian tribes or non-profit organizations - which in turn provide grants to low- and very-low-income homeowners or owners of multi-family rental properties or cooperative dwellings. Each grant will be combined with funds provided by the recipient organization. Grants can be used to weatherize and repair existing structures, install or improve plumbing and sewer services, or provide improved access to people with disabilities.
In Metlakatla, Alaska, the Metlakatla Indian Corporation Housing Authority has been selected to receive $50,000 to improve the homes of 10 elderly residents. The Housing Authority will match the USDA grant with $50,000 of its own funds. All of the recipients are age 62 or older and will receive new windows, doors, insulation and, if funding permits, appliances. Metlakatla is an economically depressed area where the unemployment rate surpasses 70 percent at various times of the year. The latest Bureau of Indian Affairs employment study (April 2006) noted that more than one in four residents has earnings below the poverty level. The $100,000 to be spent in Metlakatla will create jobs for workers and suppliers as a result of the upgrades and repairs to the 10 homes. These grants also are expected to help residents significantly lower their energy use.
The town of Tupelo, Okla., recently used a USDA Housing Preservation grant to demolish four, run-down homes owned by Native American families and replace them with modern two-bedroom/one-bath, 901-square-foot homes. The town contributed $6,560 per house to pay for the demolition of the existing homes. The total development cost for the four houses was $207,663. The Oklahoma Finance Agency provided $144,402 and USDA Rural Development provided $63,261 through the Housing Preservation Grant program.
In Harrison, Mich., the Clare County Community Development organization has been selected to receive $86,113 to install or repair sanitary water supply and waste disposal systems.
Below is a complete list of the selected grant recipients. Funding of each recipient is contingent upon the recipient meeting the conditions of the grant agreement.
Alaska
Metlakatla Housing Authority; $50,000 grant
Arizona
Navajo Utah Commission; $55,389 grant
Arkansas
Arkansas Land and Farm Corp.; $86,546 grant
California
Desert Alliance for Community Empowerment; $86,546 grant
Michigan
Clare County Community Development; $86,113 grant
Mississippi
Warren Washington Issaquena Sharkey Community Action Agency Inc.; $86,546 grant
Vermont
Gilman Housing Trust; $86,546 grant
West Virginia
Southern Appalachian Labor School; $62,313 grant
USDA Rural Development's mission is to increase economic opportunity and improve the quality of life for rural residents. Rural Development fosters growth in homeownership, finances business development and supports the creation of critical community and technology infrastructure. Further information on rural programs is available at a local USDA Rural Development office or by visiting USDA Rural Development's web site at www.rurdev.usda.gov .
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