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NEWS RELEASE 1303
SW First American Place, Suite 100, Topeka,
KS 66604-4040 |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – June 17, 2005
Contact - Harold Alford (785) 271-2701
Junction City Recognized For Participation In
USDA Rural Development Housing Programs
Junction City , KS . – USDA Rural Development State Director Chuck Banks announced today that Junction City is being recognized as the Agency’s ‘2005 Outstanding Community Partner’. The announcement was made in conjunction with USDA’s celebration of National Homeownership Month.
State Director Banks commented during today’s presentation, “Supporting critically needed economic development opportunities for Kansas is directly tied to increasing the availability of affordable housing. USDA Rural Development helps over 6,000 rural Kansans annually to secure either individual homeownership or multi-family housing residency. Junction City has played a significant role in serving the Agency’s single family and multi-family loan program customers.”
Self-Help Housing of Junction City has been USDA Rural Development’s technical assistance partner for the Mutual Self-Help Housing Program. Self-Help Housing Junction City has been a participant in the Program since July 2002, helping to provide affordable housing opportunities to Junction City residents.
Junction City Manager Rod Barnes stated, “We appreciate the support from USDA Rural Development, both through a technical assistance grant and home loan financing, to help expand critically needed homeownership opportunities. Junction City looks forward to a long and continued successful partnership with the USDA Rural Development.”
During the recognition ceremony, Banks further remarked, “ Self-Help Housing of Junction City excels in assisting minority and low-income homeownership applicants from Geary County . Over the past three years Self-Help Housing of Junction City has assisted in the construction of over 17 Mutual Self-Help Housing Program residences, with an additional 12 planned for this year. H omeownership is an i mportant first step to enjoying personal economic prosperity.”
Representatives from the offices of U.S. Senator Pat Roberts and U.S. Congressman Jerry Moran also participated in today’s ceremony. Senator Roberts and Congressman Moran are strong supporters of USDA Rural Development’s programs, including efforts to provide expanded affordable housing opportunities for rural Kansas .
State Director Banks made the recognition announcement during Junction City ’s Bartell Revitalization Commencement ceremonies. The Bartell House project has been previously approved for a $1.0 million loan from the Agency’s Multi-Family Housing Program.
USDA Rural Development’s mission is to deliver programs that support increasing economic opportunities and enhancing the quality of life of rural Am eric ans. As a venture capital entity, USDA Rural Development provides equity and technical assistance to finance and foster growth in homeownership, business development, and critical community and technology infrastructure in rural Am eric a . For additional information regarding all USDA Rural Development programs, individuals may contact the Agency’s Manhattan office at 785-776-7582 or log onto the Agency’s website at: www.rurdev.usda.gov/ks
USDA Rural Development – Committed to the future of rural communities .
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