DES MOINES, Iowa, Dec. 11, 2023 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development State Director in Iowa Theresa Greenfield today announced that the Agency is investing $162,638 in grants to two rural Iowa projects to repair and rehabilitate housing to improve the lives of very low income homeowners in several underserved rural Iowa communities. The funding is through the Housing Preservation Grant program.

“These investments announced today will help some of our rural neighbors—in very low-income households—eliminate safety hazards, which will allow them to remain at home in the midst of old age or disability,” said Director Greenfield. “President Biden, Vice-President Harris, and Secretary Vilsack have led the way in promoting lasting economic and social benefits that uplift our rural underserved communities.”

Today’s projects are part of a larger nation-wide announcement. A list of all investments may be found online here. The investments are part of President Biden’s commitment to advance equity for all, including those who have been historically underserved, marginalized and adversely affected by persistent poverty and inequality.

Iowa recipients of Housing Preservation Grants

–Region XII Council of Governments Inc. received $101,663 grant to help rehabilitate housing that is owned and occupied by very-low income people. This project will make necessary repairs to help eliminate health and safety hazards in homes and will improve the living conditions of 15 homeowners in rural Audubon, Carroll, Crawford, Greene, and Sac counties.

–City of New Hampton received a $60,975 grant which will be used to help rehabilitate housing in the city that is owned and occupied by very-low income people. This project will repair furnaces, plumbing, flooring, windows, roofing, siding, and electrical systems. The project will also install or repair accessibility features such as ramps and accessible bathroom fixtures. Once completed, the project will help eliminate health and safety hazards in homes and will improve the living conditions of seven homeowners in New Hampton, in Chickasaw County.

New Web Resources for Rural Communities

USDA Rural Development today also unveiled two new web resources that underscore the agency’s mission to ensure all people have equitable access to federal programs.

A new history webpage traces USDA Rural Development’s evolution from the Great Depression and New Deal to the present, highlighting the many ways the agency supports efforts to create prosperity in rural communities.

A new feature on Rural.gov makes it easier to find federal resources in one place. The Find Programs and Opportunities tool includes hundreds of millions of dollars in financing and technical assistance opportunities that are easy to search, filter and find.