The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is temporarily pausing a pilot program created to help rural Americans in presidentially declared disaster areas recover after natural disasters destroy their homes or businesses. The pause, effective immediately, is due to a lack of funding. Launched in July 2023, the pilot program expanded eligibility for the USDA’s Single Family Housing Repair Loans and Grants. In just seven months, it has allocated over $7.1 million to assist more than 200 families and individuals in rebuilding their homes. Applications from individuals 62 and older will not be affected by the pause and will continue to be processed under the regularly funded Single Family Housing Repair Loans and Grants Program. The USDA program helps low-income homeowners in rural areas make essential repairs to improve safety and sanitation. This includes the presidentially declared disaster areas in Iowa from April 26 and May 20. Other federal and state assistance programs are not affected by the pause. Learn more about the programs using the links included below.
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