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Enjoying
Homeownership: Lila Says "I Love It!"
It was a very special day for 73 year-old
Lila Curtis Thursday as partners gathered at her home in Levant to
celebrate National Homeownership Month and her brand new home. The new
home replaces her old one that was falling apart. Its leaky roof and
lack of insulation made for cold days during the winter, and the cost of
oil to heat her home was nearly $400 per month.
Her new two-bedroom ranch home is very energy-efficient, and Lila
estimates she now spends less per month on heating, electric bills and
mortgage combined than she used to spend on her old home just to keep it
warm. USDA Rural Development assisted through a 502 Direct Loan. Other
partners instrumental in making her new home possible were Penquis,
MaineHousing, HUD, and the congressional delegation. Also worthy of
praise is Rick Townsend, 111 Generation Carpentry who built the home,
putting the finishing touches on it on Christmas Eve so that she spend
Christmas in her new home.
Joining Maine Rural Development staff was Peter Morgan, Associate
Administrator for Rural Development's Housing and Community Programs,
who spent the day in Maine.
Learn More About Rural Development's Housing
Programs
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In the Photo (left to right): Barbara
Hayslett, District Representative, Office of Congressman Michael H.
Michaud; Phil Bosse, State Office Representative, Office of Senator
Susan M. Collins; Cheryl Hews, Area Specialist, USDA Rural Development;
Basil Little, Homeowner; Michael W. Aube, State Director, USDA Rural
Development; Sharon Campbell, Regional Representative, Office of Senator
Olympia J. Snowe |
A New Home for Basil and Rena Little
Partners came
together June 9 to celebrate a Replacement Home for Basil and Rena
Little, of Woodland. Basil and Rena had been living in a mobile home
that had many issues, including mold and mildew, a leaky roof, and
sagging floors. The mold and mildew aggravated Basil's health condition.
Basil and Rena can breathe a little easier now in their new two bedroom,
two bathroom home. And the new home is located on the same property that
the old one had been, so the couple can continue to live on their own
land.
At the event, their daughter said "It is nice to see them both so
happy."
Aroostook County Action Program (ACAP) received a Homeownership Partner
of the Year Award for its dedication to helping people in the region
obtain the dream of Homeownership. From October 1, 2007 to April 25,
2008, ACAP has leveraged Maine American Dream Initiative funds in the
amount of $30,300.00 with Rural Development's 502 Direct Housing Program
funds to assist five applicants to become successful homeowners. Also,
ACAP has leveraged Community Block Grant funds in the amount of $5,675
with Rural Development's 504 Loan and Grant program to assist applicants
with repairs to remove health and safety hazards from their home. ACAP
has also provided the Homebuyer Education Course to all qualified Rural
Development applicants.
Learn More About Rural Development's Housing
Programs
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