The Annual Event Seeks to Unite Florida & Puerto Rico Businesses to Foster Economic Growth
Orlando, Florida May 17, 2024 – USDA Rural Development State Director of Puerto Rico Maximiliano J. Trujillo-Ortega is speaking at the 2024 Puerto Rican Summit XIII being held from May 15 -17, 2024 in Orlando Florida.
Trujillo-Ortega indicated that the purpose of the event that now in its 13 year is to foster economic growth and strengthen collaboration between Puerto Rico and Florida. “And with Biden-Harris Administration that has made unprecedented levels of federal funding available to Puerto Rico for resilience, recovery, infrastructure, and economic growth. This has created a historic opportunity for Puerto Rico to make transformative change on the island.”
During the event Trujillo-Ortega indicated that is time for the contractor and constructions workers that left the island after Hurricanes Maria & Fiona consider coming back to contribute for the recovery of the island. Puerto Rico needs contractors to build new homes.
USDA has made important changes to the Rural Housing Program and now it’s easier to apply. We have a new income eligibility that will allow a one-to-four-person household with an income of $39,550 or a five-to-eight-person household with an income of $52,200 to apply to our programs across the island.
Before the change the income limit varied according to the municipalities and a household of one-to-four income limit could be $22,600. Now more families can qualify for Rural Development’s Rural Housing Program.
The Agency has various Rural Housing Programs:
- Rural Home Loans, known as RH 502 Direct Loan Program, help low-and-very-low-income applicants buy a decent, safe, and sanitary housing in eligible rural areas by providing loans and payment assistance to increase their applicant’s repayment ability.
- Rural Disaster Home Repair Grant Program provides repair grants for homes impacted by a natural disaster and in an area designated as a Presidentially Declared Disaster, such as Fiona. This program can provide a grant up-to $42,920 it if meet low-income eligibility and other conditions.
“For the Single-Family Housing Rural Disaster Home Repair Grant Program, we have already obligated $2.2 million, and we seek to help more homeowners that have not been able yet to repairs from damages caused by Fiona. The National Office still has allocation, of $36 million available nationwide.” indicated Trujillo-Ortega. We need contractor and construction worker to help rebuild our housing in the archipelago. The Biden-Harris Administration has provide the funds, we need our people to come to the island and be part of the reconstruction process.
USDA 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. Visit the Rural Data Gateway to learn how and where these investments are impacting rural America. To subscribe to USDA Rural Development updates, visit the GovDelivery Subscriber Page. You can follow us in our X account @RD_PuertoRico.
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