News Release

Contact: Taylor Oldroyd, (202) 720-1019
toldroyd@rdmail.rural.usda.gov

USDA AFFIRMS COMMITMENT TO FAIR HOUSING

Neruda Highlights Increase In Rural Rental Housing Occupancy by Disabled, Handicapped and Minority Residents

     WASHINGTON, April 26, 2002--Deputy Under Secretary of Agriculture for Rural Development Mike Neruda today reminded Americans that April is Fair Housing Month and highlighted ongoing efforts by USDA Rural Development to increase the opportunities for rural rental housing for disabled, handicapped and minority residents in rural America.

     "USDA, through its Rural Housing Service (RHS), has made that dream a reality for hundreds of thousands of rural Americans. Fair Housing Month reminds us that the right of every American to decent housing, free of discrimination, is guaranteed by the historic Fair Housing Act," said Neruda.

     The Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination in housing due to race or color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status or disability. It covers the sale and renting of homes as well as mortgage lending.

     RHS Administrator Art Garcia joined Neruda in calling on Americans to support equal opportunity in housing. "Equal access to housing is especially important in rural America," he said. "RHS is continuing to show the way in making decent affordable housing available to low- and moderate-income rural people regardless of color, disability, gender or belief."

     RHS makes and guarantees loans for both single-and multi-family dwellings, including housing for farm laborers. All assistance is offered in conformance with fair housing requirements. Very-low income tenants rent the great majority of RHS-financed multi-family housing units. More than 56 percent are elderly and approximately 26 percent belong to recognized minority groups. Three-quarters are female heads of households. Among single-family housing borrowers, more than one quarter are members of racial minority groups and 15 percent have disabilities. Tenants with very low income represent 91 percent of the total tenant household income level.

     A recent review of Rural Development's rural rental and farm labor housing portfolio showed that since 2001, occupancy by disabled and handicapped total tenant population increased by 1,935 households to a total of 247,100 in 2002. The total number of race/ethnic tenants who by definition are minorities has also increased from 2001 figures. In 2001, 114,366 minority tenants occupied rural rental and farm labor housing units and in 2002, 116,569 tenants occupied such units, representing an increase of 2,203 minority households. In 2002, the overall portfolio for Rural Development multi-family housing units is 469,932.

     USDA Rural Development serves as the lead federal entity for rural development needs and administers program assistance through three agencies: Rural Housing Service, Rural Business-Cooperative Service and Rural Utilities Service. Further information on USDA Rural Development programs can be obtained by visiting USDA's web site at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov.

#

USDA Rural Development is an Equal Opportunity Lender, Provider, and Employer. Complaints of
discrimination should be sent to: USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410

Return to Rural Development News and Information Room.