U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development West Virginia State Director Ryan Thorn announced that USDA is seeking applications from eligible entities for grants to repair or rehabilitate homes, rental properties or cooperatives for people in rural West Virginia with low or very low incomes.
This announcement is being made as Rural Development celebrates Homeownership Month and the importance of expanding access to safe and affordable homes in rural America and on Tribal lands. Rural Development is providing the funding through the Housing Preservation Grant program.
“Rural Development has a rich history of helping rural West Virginians buy, repair and build affordable homes,” said Thorn. “We understand how important it is to have safe, affordable places to live. That’s why housing programs like our Housing Preservation Grant are critical, because a house is more than just a place to lay your head, it represents financial security, an opportunity to build wealth and equity and it serves as a foundation for a better future.”
Eligible applicants include most state or local governmental entities, federally recognized Indian Tribes, nonprofit groups and faith-based organizations.
Approximately $12.2 million is being made available to eligible participants. Approximately $2.2 million of this funding is available for disaster assistance with a maximum award of $50,000.
For example, funds may be used to:
- Repair or replace electrical wiring, foundations, roofs, insulation, heating systems and water/waste disposal systems.
- Support accessibility features.
- Purchase construction materials.
- Finance administrative expenses up to 20%.
Rural Development is particularly interested in applications that will advance Biden Administration priorities to:
- Reduce climate pollution and increase resilience to the impacts of climate change through economic support to rural communities.
- Ensure all rural residents have equitable access to Rural Development programs and benefits from Rural Development-funded projects.
- Help rural communities recover economically through more and better market opportunities and through improved infrastructure.
Additional information on these key priorities is available at https://www.rd.usda.gov/priority-points.
Pre-applications for grants must be submitted by paper or electronically by 4:30 p.m. local time July 29, 2024. For additional information, see page 50554 of the June 14, 2024, Federal Register.
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