USDA Supports New Location for S

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

USDA Supports New Location for Sussex County Habitat for Humanity

Georgetown, DE October 27, 2006 – Senator Thomas Carper joined USDA Rural Development officials for the announcement of funds that will help support a new office location for the non-profit organization built on Christian faith – Sussex County Habitat for Humanity.

"Habitat for Humanity always works to get people into homes, and now it is our turn to repay that debt," said Senator Thomas Carper. "I am proud of the work Habitat does and honored to be a part of helping them expand their office."

USDA Rural Development has over 40 programs to support rural affordable housing opportunities, business development, community facilities, and the environment. Through Rural Development’s community facility program a $650,000 loan will be provided to help Sussex County Habitat for Humanity move from cramped office conditions that they rent on Bridgeville Road to new construction just south of town that will provide the work space needed for their growing volunteer staff to assist residents of Sussex County with modest affordable homes.

"I think that you will agree that the funding we are returning to rural Delaware today is for a great cause," said Marlene Elliott, USDA Rural Development State Director. "It is an honor for USDA Rural Development to be a partner with them. Lives have been changed because of the work that they do -- families have found new hope in the form of affordable housing."

Construction is set to begin on the new office in the spring and representatives from Habitat for Humanity are speaking with area builders who may partner with them to lead the project. They plan to use volunteers in the process similar to the way they build Habitat houses. Over 500 volunteers a year work on their housing worksites. Currently, projects are ongoing in Georgetown, Lewes and Concord Village in Seaford.

USDA Rural Development is committed to the future of rural communities. One of the first key initiatives implemented by the Bush Administration was to establish the Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives. The Department of Agriculture is 1 of 10 cabinet departments charged with promoting this initiative. Although the use of government money by faith-based and community organizations is not new, there are many small grassroots organizations that are not aware, or still have questions about the Federal funding process. USDA Rural Development works to promote the awareness of their programs through a series of events that are held throughout the year. In fiscal year 2006 which closed on September 30^th, the agency returned over $53 million to rural Delaware to support agriculture, business opportunities, home ownership, home repair, rental housing, health care, education, and social and cultural needs. Additional information on rural programs is available by calling their State Office for Delaware and Maryland at (302) 857-3580 or by visiting their website at www.rurdev.usda.gov.

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