NEWS RELEASE

United States Department of Agriculture • Rural Development

1221 College Park Drive, Suite 200, Dover, DE  19904

Phone: (302) 857-3580 • Fax: (302) 857-3640 • TDD: (302) 857-3585 • Web: http://www.rurdev.usda.gov

June 12, 2007

At home and in the garden

By Marlene B. Elliott, USDA Rural Development State Director for Delaware and Maryland

For many of us, the month of June means picking strawberries, cutting asparagus and freezing peas.  It also means National Homeownership Month, a time when housing agencies across the country join realtors and builders to raise awareness of homeownership and encourage more Americans to reach for the American dream.

At USDA Rural Development, we have been helping individuals and families purchase affordable and safe homes since 1949.   We do this with the support of non-profit organizations that provide home buyer education and counseling services that help prepare families for the largest single purchase they will ever make. 

Today, nearly 70 percent of Americans own their homes and the rate of minority homeownership has climbed to above 50 percent since 2001 when President George W. Bush took office.  As the Bush Administration has demonstrated their commitment to an ownership society where the promise of America reaches all of our citizens, Rural Development has provided support in that effort through a variety of financial and technical assistance programs.

Since 2001, Rural Development invested more than $76.8 billion to support homeownership of which $118 million was in rural Delaware and $475 million in rural Maryland.   

Homeownership comes with many rewards, not only is it a safe haven for your family and a home to your most valued treasures, it is an economic engine that builds prosperity and financial wealth for years to come.  Equity in the home helps fuel our economy; when homeowners add landscaping and gardens and pursue home improvement projects, they are helping to increase jobs and boost demand for goods and services. 

During National Homeownership Month we have the opportunity to reflect on how homeownership has enhanced our lives and contributed to the thriving communities we call home.  To help make more of our citizens aware of Rural Development’s commitment to providing safe, affordable housing — we are paying tribute to:

• A group of 5 families who are working together to build each other’s homes under the guidance of Milford Housing Development Corporation and with the support of  Rural Development’s self-help housing program. These are neighbors helping neighbors, brought together by a strong commitment to community;
• A family that once lived in deplorable living conditions and were supported by volunteers and their community to bring hope and a new life to the parcel they were living on.  The family temporarily lived in a shelter while their previous home was demolished and their lot was improved.  They now have their own home with the support of Rural Development’s single family housing direct loan program;
• And, a husband and wife who lost their mobile home in a fire and could not afford to rebuild without the support of Washington County Community Action Agency and Rural Development.   After the fire, the only rental housing they could find would not allow them to take their pets.  They returned to their property daily to care for their animals, even pulled a pop-up camper onto the lot on weekends, to continue landscaping and work on their land in hopes of someday being able to rebuild and once again live there. 

Rural Development’s housing programs finance new or improved housing for low to moderate income families and individuals who wish to live in rural areas or communities.  The purpose of the programs is to provide financing with no down payment and at favorable rates and terms.  Both direct and guaranteed homeownership loans are offered.  Under the direct loan program, individuals or families receive a loan directly from Rural Development.  Guaranteed loans are made by other lenders, such as banks or mortgage companies, and are guaranteed by our agency.

In addition to helping with homeownership, we also have loans and grants available to help low-income families and the elderly make needed house repairs so that they can remain in their own home.

For information about USDA Rural Development’s housing, business or community facilities programs, please call (302) 857-3580, email me at marlene.elliott@de.usda.gov, or visit our website at www.rurdev.usda.gov.  We have employees across Delaware and Maryland that are ready to help.

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