Flood damage repair funds for low income rural NM homeowners

Release No. 13-76-01                                                                                      For Immediate Release  ­

Applications to Be Taken for Home Repairs Caused by 

Rain Damage and Flooding in Rural New Mexico

USDA RD Prepared to take applications from qualified very low income homeowners

 (September 17, 2013 Albuquerque, NM) USDA Rural Development State Director Terry Brunner announced today his staff is prepared to provide information and take applications to help fix homes damaged in rural communities devastated from the recent rain storms.

In making the announcement Brunner said, “I’ve directed my staff to be prepared to provide as much service as possible to help qualified homeowners fix their homes damaged by the rain fall and flooding.”  Brunner added, “We will do everything we can to help those homeowners that need the most help to fix their homes.”

The funding is through USDA Rural Development’s Section 504 housing loan and grant program which provides financial help to very low income home owners living in a rural community to rehabilitate their home.  The program can provide a $7,500 grant to rural residents who are 62 years old or older who own their home and have a very low income.  The money can be used to fix a roof and other types of repairs including window repair and other needed necessities. The 504 loan program is also available to all very low income homeowners also living in a rural community. It provides up to a $20-thousand loan for one percent interest to repair or refurbish a home.

“This program will be especially helpful to those low income residents that need additional financial support because they don’t have the insurance to cover the damage that was done to their home because of the recent rains,” said Brunner.

Those wanting to apply for the Section 504 housing repair program should contact one of USDA Rural Development’s offices to see if they qualify for a loan or a grant and to set up an appointment to make an application.

Aztec
1427 West Aztec Blvd Suite 1
Aztec, NM 87410
505-334-3090 Extension #4

Las Cruces
2510 Telshor
Las Cruces, NM 88011
575-522-8775 Extension #4

Las Vegas
1927-A North 7th Street
Las Vegas, NM  87701
505-425-3594 Extension #4

Los Lunas
2600 Palmilla Road Suite C
Los Lunas, NM 87031
505-865-4643 Extension #4

Roswell
1011 Atkinson Ave.
Roswell, NM 88203
575-622-8745 Extension #4


USDA, through its Rural Development mission area, has a portfolio of programs designed to improve the economic stability of rural communities, businesses, residents, farmers and ranchers and improve the quality of life in rural America. USDA has made a concerted effort to deliver results for the American people, even as the Department implements sequestration – the across-the-board budget reductions mandated under terms of the Budget Control Act.

 USDA has already undertaken historic efforts since 2009 to save more than $828 million in taxpayer funds through targeted, common-sense budget reductions. These reductions have put USDA in a better position to carry out its mission, while implementing sequester budget reductions in a fair manner that causes as little disruption as possible.