The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development is seeking applications for grants to make housing repairs for low- and very-low-income rural residents, and has extended the deadline to March 15, 2016. The grants are being provided through USDA Rural Development’s Housing Preservation Grant Program.This program are intended to help rural homeowners and rental housing owners repair and improve their properties. Funds may be used to resolve health or safety issues, make accessibility modifications for people with disabilities, or make energy efficiency improvements to reduce utility costs.

Eligibility and Funding
Eligible applicants for Housing Preservation Grants include town or county governments, public agencies, federally recognized Indian Tribes, nonprofits, and faith-based organizations. USDA does not provide funding directly to homeowners under this program. For additional eligibility information, see page 81279 of the December 29, 2015, Federal Register.

Funding is limited, and applications will be evaluated on a competitive basis with scoring preference for applications that serve very-low-income households, demonstrate leveraged funding, show the applicant’s capacity to successfully manage a housing repair program, and address other considerations as listed in the Federal Register notice.

How to Apply
Applications are accepted on an annual basis through a Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) in the Federal Register.

For additional information about the extended deadline, see page 3099 of the January 20, 2016, Federal Register.

Contact your RD State office with questions regarding this solicitation.