CLARE COUNTY RECEIVES $79,000 FOR LOW-INCOME
HOUSING ASSISTANCE

LANSING, Jan. 24, 2007 – USDA Rural Development Director for Michigan Gene DeRossett today announced a $79,000 grant to help low-income Clare County residents improve their housing through better financial planning. 

 “Sound financial planning is essential for successful home ownership,” said DeRossett.  “This initiative helps residents obtain the educational tools they need to avoid potential problems and improve the quality of their housing.”

 The money is available through a Section 525 Technical and Supervisory Assistance Grant, which provides low-income families with credit counseling, instruction on credit reports, credit purchases and ways to reduce the potential for payment delinquency.  The funds are administered by the Clare County Enterprise Community.

 This marks the third grant award from USDA Rural Development for Clare County the past few weeks.  Previous awards included $71,500 for six off-road emergency vehicles and $116,000 for the construction of Redding Township’s new township hall.  

USDA Rural Development's mission is to deliver programs in a way that will support increasing economic opportunity and improve the quality of life of rural residents. As a venture capital entity, Rural Development provides equity, liquidity, and technical assistance to finance and foster growth in homeownership, business development, and critical community and technology infrastructure. Further information on rural programs is available at a local USDA Rural Development office or by visiting USDA's web site at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/

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