Investment to Two Missouri Organizations will Benefit 21 Rural Missouri Families

The Trump Administration, along with Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development State Director for Missouri Jeff Case, today announced two Missouri-based sponsoring organizations are receiving nearly $300,000 in Housing Preservation Grants for the repair and rehabilitation of housing owned and occupied by low-and very-low income rural Missourians.

“Having a home to call your own is the ultimate American dream to many in our country. However, for lower-income rural residents, the affordability of maintaining a home and making needed repairs can often be a challenge,” said Trump Administration Official State Director Case. “By partnering with affordable housing agencies, USDA Rural Development helps fill that gap with its Housing Preservation Grant program, ensuring some of our most vulnerable residents have the means necessary to make health and safety improvements to their homes. Under the leadership of President Trump and Agriculture Secretary Perdue, USDA has been working tirelessly to be a strong partner to rural communities in building stronger and healthier communities, because we know when rural America thrives, all of America thrives.”

North East Community Action Corporation (NECAC) will use its $149,343 grant to rehabilitate owner-occupied homes in nine counties. 12 low- and very-low income families residing in Lewis, Macon, Marion, Monroe, Montgomery, Pike, Ralls, Randolph, and Shelby Counties will benefit from the assistance. Established in 1965, NECAC manages and delivers more than 60 social service, community health, and public housing programs to qualified individuals in nine rural and three metropolitan counties. The repairs will be made in conjunction with NECAC’s Weatherization and Home Repair Program.

East Missouri Action Agency, Inc. (EMAA) will use its $149,343 grant to rehabilitate owner-occupied homes in its service area. 19 low- and very-low income families residing in Bollinger, Cape Girardeau, Iron, Madison, Perry, St. Francois, Ste. Genevieve, and Washington Counties will benefit from the assistance. Established in 1965, EMAA provides services to more than 18,000 low-income individuals annually in its eight-county service area. The repairs will be made in conjunction with East Missouri Action Agency’s Weatherization and Home Repair program.

As noted above, the Housing Preservation Grant program is administered by sponsoring organizations such as state and local government entities, non-profits, and federally recognized Native American tribes. Individual homeowners are not eligible for the program, which serves rural areas with populations of 20,000 or fewer. Rental property owners may also be eligible to receive assistance if they agree to make housing units available to low- and very low-income rural residents. Eligible expenses include repairing or replacing electrical wiring, foundations, roofs, insulation, heating and cooling systems, and water and waste disposal systems. Funds also may be used to adapt homes for those with mobility or other accessibility considerations. Applications for the program are accepted on an annual basis through a Notice of Solicitation of Application (NOSA) in the Federal Register.

USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities and create jobs 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 areas.

Contact USDA Rural Development

Information on programs available through USDA Rural Development is available by visiting www.rd.usda.gov/mo, by calling (573) 876-0976, or by emailing RDMissouri@usda.gov.

USDA Rural Development has 25 offices across the state to serve the 2.2 million residents living in rural Missouri. Office locations include a state office in Columbia, along with local offices in Butler, Charleston, Chillicothe, Clinton, Dexter, Eldon, Farmington, Higginsville, Houston, Kennett, Kirksville, Maryville, Mexico, Moberly, Neosho, New London, Poplar Bluff, Richmond, Rolla, Sedalia, Springfield, St. Joseph, Troy, and West Plains.