STEVENS POINT, Wis., June 7, 2021 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Wisconsin Rural Development Acting State Director Michelle Wallace kicked off National Homeownership Month, as part of a nationwide celebration to highlight USDA’s efforts to provide access to affordable housing for rural Americans.
“Affordable housing is essential to the vitality of communities in rural America,” said Wallace. “Under the leadership of President Biden and Agriculture Secretary Vilsack, USDA continues investing in the people of rural Wisconsin to help them achieve the dream of homeownership.”
Since 1949, USDA has helped 4.7 million families and individuals across the nation buy homes in rural areas. Last year, Wisconsin USDA Rural Development supported rural homeownership through the following programs and investments:
- The Single Family Housing Direct Home Loan Program provides loans directly to families and individuals so they can buy or build homes in rural America. USDA invested over $12 million in this program to help 80 families and individuals purchase a home.
- Through its Single Family Housing Guaranteed Loan Program, USDA has partnered with numerous private lending institutions, backing $331 million in loans to help over 2,100 families and individuals buy homes in rural areas.
- The Home Repair Loan and Grant Program provides loans and grants to help families and individuals repair and modernize homes, making them safer, healthier places to live. USDA invested $838,000 to help 160 families improve the quality of their homes.
To learn more about USDA homeownership programs, please visit the Single Family Housing program webpage, call us at 715-345-7600 or email wi-rd-sfh-so@usda.gov.
Under the Biden-Harris Administration, Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities, create jobs and improve the quality of life for millions of Americans in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community facilities such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural, Tribal and high-poverty areas. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov/wi. If you’d like to subscribe to USDA Rural Development updates, visit our GovDelivery subscriber page.
