Thanks for visiting the USDA Rural Development California website. Here you’ll see that our agency has a proven track record of helping families purchase their first home, building critical infrastructure in rural areas, helping rural entrepreneurs start and grow their businesses, and improving the viability of California’s rural economies.

We can’t do our job though, without private investment and community leadership. That’s where you come in. We have 18 offices across California – from Alturas to El Centro. I welcome you to stop in for a cup of coffee sometime and tell us about your goals. Chances are, we have a program that’s right for you. You can learn more about USDA Rural Development resources in your area by clicking on the ‘Offices’ link above, or calling our state office at (530) 792-5800.

                        -Janice Waddell, Acting State Director

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27% - The increase in vehicle traffic on state's rural roads between 1990 and 2003. 

6,000 miles  - The length of California's network of levees that protect areas from flooding. 

18% - Segment of the state's rural population that completed college in 2000 vs. 26.8% of urban population.

1.4 million  - The number of mostly rural Californians lacking broadband access at any speed  

7.1% - The unemployment rate in California's rural areas vs. 6.2% in urban areas (2004 data).

3,400 - The estimated number of California jobs saved through the help of USDA Rural Development business programs in 2007.

Sources: USDA Economic Research Service, USDA Rural Development, California Chamber of Commerce

June, 2009 - Homeownership Month

Celebrating National Homeownership Month

June 19, 2009

Homeownership Month Celebrations in Orland with Community Housing Improvement Program (CHIP)
USDA Rural Development joined the self-help housing nonprofit CHIP and 44 new homeowners to celebrate the completion of homes in two Orland subdivisions.  Homeowners spent 30 hours per week building their homes for over six months before receiving their final certificate of completion and moving in to their new homes.  Click here to read the news release.

LEFT: Single Family Housing Program Director Bob Anderson commends CHIP and the new homeowners for all their hard work and efforts in building their new homes.  All homes were built through the mutual self-help housing process.

RIGHT: Candelaria Cerda, one of the new homeowners, thanks USDA Rural Development and CHIP for giving her the opportunity to own her home.  She explained what a dream come true the whole experience was for her and her family.

June 10, 2009

Homeownership Month Celebrations with Self-Help Housing Improvement Program (SHHIP)
Single Family Housing Program Director Bob Anderson toured six homes in Tehama and Shasta counties that received energy efficient repairs and renovations from SHHIP.  Homeowners assist with the repairs and this "sweat equity" helps reduce costs. 
 

LEFT: One of the homes that received energy efficient repairs

For more pictures on other projects visit the Photo Gallery
 

In other USDA Rural Development news...
 

Notice of Withdrawal of Solicitation of Applications (NOSA) for Value-Added Producer Grant Program (VAPG).

USDA Rural Development is withdrawing the May 6, 2009 Federal Register notice announcing the availability of grants.  For more information on the withdrawal notice in the Wednesday, July 1, 2009 Federal Register click here.
 

Rural Community Development Initiative Notice of Funds Available
The 2009 Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) for the Rural Community Development Initiative (RCDI) was published in the Friday, June 26, 2009 Federal Register.  For more information including application deadlines click here to view the NOFA.

Section 538 Guaranteed Rural Rental Housing Program Notice of Funds Available
The 2009 Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) for the Section 538 Guaranteed Rural Rental Housing Program was published in the Friday, June 26, 2009 Federal Register.  For more information including application deadlines click here to view the NOFA.

Section 514/516 Farm Labor Housing Loans & Grants for Off-Farm Housing Notice of Funds Available
The 2009 Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) for the Section 514 and Section 516 Farm Labor Housing Loan and Grant Programs was published in the Thursday, May 21, 2009 Federal Register.  For more information click here to view the NOFA.

Section 533 Housing Preservation Grant Notice of Funds Available

The 2009 Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) for the Section 533 Housing Preservation Grant Program was published in the Monday, May 11, 2009 Federal Register.  The application deadline is Friday, July 10, 2009 at 5:00 p.m. local time.  For more information click here to view the NOFA.

   A notice of correction regarding contacts for each state was published in the Tuesday, June 2, 2009 Federal Register.  Click here to view this correction to the NOFA.

Section 515 Rural Rental Housing Program Notice of Funds Available
The 2009 Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) for the Section 515 Rural Rental Housing Program for new construction was published in the Wednesday, April 29, 2009 Federal Register.  The filing deadline is Monday, June 29, 2009 at 5:00 p.m. local time.  For more information click here to view the NOFA.

Agriculture Secretary Vilsack Announces $615.8 Million for Rural Water Projects
The announcement includes $13.8 million in funds for eight projects in California.  Click here to view the news release and the complete list of projects.

Rural Business Enterprise Grant (RBEG) Program Notice
For information on this program notice click here. 

More news is just a click away in the USDA Rural Development News Room