ATHENS, Ga., Dec. 11, 2023 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Deputy Under Secretary Farah Ahmad today announced more than 200 projects to improve infrastructure, housing and economic conditions for underserved rural and Native American communities. The announcement includes $1,075,000 invested in six organizations administering the repair and rehabilitation of eligible housing for low-income, very-low income, and senior homeowners in Georgia.
The investments are part of President Biden’s commitment to advance equity for all, including those who have been historically underserved, marginalized and adversely affected by persistent poverty and inequality.
“The Housing Preservation Grant program empowers our partners to administer home repair assistance, it is an essential program for reaching low- and very-low-income rural residents with important work that improves the quality of life,” said USDA Rural Development State Director Reggie Taylor.
“The Biden-Harris Administration and USDA are making record investments in rural America to ensure everyone in this country has a path to success,” Deputy Under Secretary Ahmad said. “The investments we’re making today will have lasting economic and social benefits that will allow current and future generations to make a good life right at home in their rural communities.”
Nationwide, investments include more than $19 million to help low-income and very low-income residents in every part of the country repair and rehabilitate their homes. In Georgia funds went to six organizations with the Housing Preservation Grant program
Home Repair Assistance Organization Award
Southwest Georgia Regional Commission $125,000
Southwest Georgia Community Action Council $125,000
D.T. Dream Team Incorporated $150,000
Tallapoosa Housing $250,000
Groundswell Incorporated $300,000
New Foundations $125,000
$ 1,075,000
New Web Resources for Rural Communities
USDA Rural Development today also unveiled two new web resources that underscore the agency’s mission to ensure all people have equitable access to federal programs. A new history webpage traces USDA Rural Development’s evolution from the Great Depression and New Deal to the present, highlighting the many ways the agency supports efforts to create prosperity in rural communities.
One of the agency’s more recent initiatives, the Rural Partners Network (RPN), has brought together a coalition of 24 federal agencies that offer programs and funding designed specifically for rural communities.
A new feature on Rural.gov makes it easier to find these federal resources in one place. The Find Programs and Opportunities tool includes hundreds of millions of dollars in financing and technical assistance opportunities that are easy to search, filter and find.
The information will help people in rural areas access funding for a variety of business, health care, housing, community and economic development needs.
Under the leadership of the Biden-Harris Administration, Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities, create jobs and improve the quality of life for millions of Americans in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community facilities such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural, tribal and high-poverty areas. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov.
USDA touches the lives of all Americans each day in so many positive ways. Under the leadership of the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA is transforming America’s food system with a greater focus on more resilient local and regional food production, fairer markets for all producers, ensuring access to safe, healthy and nutritious food in all communities, building new markets and streams of income for farmers and producers using climate-smart food and forestry practices, making historic investments in infrastructure and clean energy capabilities in rural America, and committing to equity across the Department by removing systemic barriers and building a workforce more representative of America. To learn more, visit www.usda.gov.
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