Repair assistance available for homes

USDA Rural Development State Director Jasper Schneider has announced that applications for grants are being accepted to provide assistance to low income rural residents to repair their homes.

“This funding opportunity helps homeowners make necessary property improvements which are important to building strong, vibrant communities,” Schneider said. “Upgrades may include anything from replacing a roof to installing energy efficient technology.”

Housing Preservation Grants are available to intermediaries such as town or county governments, public agencies, federally recognized Indian tribes and non-profit and faith-based organizations. The grants are then distributed to qualified homeowners, owners of multi-family rental properties or cooperative dwellings who rent to low income residents.

Grants can be used to weatherize and repair existing structures, install or improve plumbing or provide access to people with disabilities. Housing Preservations Grants help bring job growth and stability to communities while improving living conditions.

For example, in 2011, the Red River Regional Council and the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians received USDA Housing Preservation Grants to make needed repairs to more than 30 homes in Grafton and on the Turtle Mountain Reservation.

For fiscal year 2012, USDA may award up to $4.1 million in competitive grants through the Housing Preservation Grant program. Applications are due June 25. For more information on how to apply, contact the USDA Rural Development office in Bismarck at (701) 530-2037 or visit www.rurdev.usda. gov/nd.

Tags: news, homes, programs