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

 

 

Contact:

Kathy Beisner (302) 857-3582

                                                                        (302) 943-3818

 

USDA CELEBRATES 60TH HOUSING ANNIVERSARY

 

            Thurmont, Md., Nov. 30, 2009 – A decent home and a suitable living environment for every American family was the preamble of the National Housing Act of 1949.  Today, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) observed the 60-year anniversary of the enactment at the Guardian Hose Company in Thurmont.  Many Government and private sector officials were on hand from across Maryland, Delaware and Washington D.C. to reminisce and share their experiences on how USDA got into the business of helping rural families obtain decent and safe housing.

 

“During the span of sixty years, the agency has assisted more than 39,000 individuals and families across rural Maryland and rural Delaware reach the dream of homeownership,” said Jack Tarburton, USDA Rural Development State Director for Maryland and Delaware.   “Homeownership has always been the foundation of the American Dream and over time as our housing programs have changed, we have also changed as an agency, creating more partnerships with other housing organizations that have allowed us to assist more families.”

 

U.S. Representative Roscoe Bartlett (Md.) joined Tarburton to highlight the impact the Housing Act is having on families and lenders like First Mortgage Services; who is a participant in USDA’s Single Family Housing Guaranteed Loan Program.  The mortgage company was recognized at the ceremony for assisting more families in Allegany and Garrett counties than any other participating lender.  Over the past 3-years, First Mortgage Services helped open the door to homeownership for 156 families.  The USDA Rural Development Guaranteed Homeownership Program enables banks and other mortgage companies to make loans to people they would not otherwise be able to serve.  The program is popular with everyone involved.  No down payment is required and the homebuyer can borrow up to 100 percent of the property’s appraised value.  USDA helps everyone involved at no cost to the taxpayers unless something goes wrong with the loan.

 

“Partnerships with local small businesses, like First Mortgage Services, support economic development and improve the quality of life in rural communities including Thurmont, at no cost to taxpayers,” said Congressman Bartlett.

 

 

 In 2009, Rural Development had a banner year; providing home loans to 1,333 families in rural Maryland and 424 home loans in rural Delaware.

 

            USDA Rural Development’s mission is to increase economic opportunity and improve the quality of life for rural residents. In fiscal year 2009, the agency provided more than $412 million to rural Maryland. USDA Rural Development funds more than 40 programs that support agriculture, business opportunities, homeownership, home repair, rental housing, broadband technology, public safety, health care, education, community facilities such as libraries, schools and day care centers, and energy-related projects.  Additional information on rural programs is available by calling the area office in Hagerstown at (301) 797-0500 ext. 4 or by visiting www.rurdev.usda.gov.

 

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            USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 (voice), or (202) 720-6382 (TDD).