| WASHINGTON June 30,
2004—Today, the last day of National Homeownership Month,
Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman announced the availability of $2
million in technical and supervisory housing assistance to provide rural
residents with additional home repair and homeownership opportunities.
“Homeownership is the cornerstone to the economy
of rural communities,” said Veneman. “This funding will help
over 2,000 families to improve their overall quality of life, and help
build a strong economic future for their family and community.”
Veneman recently participated in several rural homeownership
events as part of the national recognition by the Bush Administration
of the economic and community benefits of homeownership. Since the beginning
of the Bush Administration, over 188,000 families have received assistance
with homeownership and housing repair through USDA programs.
These grants support programs of homeownership counseling,
home loan packaging and delinquency counseling. A projected 25 to 30 different
groups will receive the technical and supervisory assistance grants. An
estimated 2,000 low-income families will benefit from USDA loans and grants
allowing them to purchase their own home or make essential home repairs.
Homebuyer training and counseling will also benefit thousands more who
hope to become home owners in the near future.
The deadline to apply will be 30 days from the publication
in the July 1, 2004 Federal Register. Community and faith-based and organizations
are eligible to apply. For more information, please see Rural Development’s
website, www.rurdev.usda.gov.
USDA Rural Development's mission is to deliver programs
in a way that will support increasing economic opportunity and improve
the quality of life of rural residents. As a venture capital entity, Rural
Development provides equity and technical assistance to finance and foster
growth in homeownership, business development, and critical community
and technology infrastructure. Further information on rural programs is
available at a local USDA Rural Development office or by visiting USDA's
web site at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov.
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