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Six Organizations in Maryland Receive a total of $380,000 in Grant Funds to Preserve Affordable Housing

Name
Letitia Nichols
Release Date

WINTERHAVEN, Calif., Dec. 12, 2023 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Deputy Under Secretary Farah Ahmad has announced more than 200 projects to improve infrastructure, housing and economic conditions for underserved rural and Native American communities. In Maryland, the impact of $380,000 will be felt across the state.

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.

USDA Rural Development State Director David Baker said, “We are proud to provide these funds for Maryland homeowners to preserve affordable housing, including critical repairs to their homes. Repairs include wiring, roofs, heating, and water and wastewater systems. We thank our valued partners, the local nonprofits, for administering this program with these federal dollars.”

In Maryland, six organizations will receive grants through the USDA Rural Development Housing Preservation Grant Program to provide eligible homeowners with grants and/or low-interest loans for critical home repair projects designed to improve living conditions:
 

  • Maryland Rural Development Corporation is receiving $70,000 to serve 41 households in Caroline, Cecil, Kent, Queen Anne’s, and Talbot counties.
     
  • Shore Up Incorporated is receiving $50,000 to serve 4 households in Somerset, Wicomico, and Worchester counties.
     
  • Rebuilding Together is receiving $70,000 to serve 12 households in Kent County.
     
  • Garrett County Action Committee Incorporated is receiving $70,000 to serve 7 households in Garrett County.
     
  • Charles County, County Commissioners is receiving $50,000 to serve 5 households in Charles County.
     
  • Habitat Wicomico County is receiving $70,000 to serve 35 households in Somerset and Wicomico counties.

 

Across the country, USDA is making investments in several programs specifically designed to bring federal funding and resources to people and communities in underserved rural areas. The projects will benefit hundreds of thousands of people in 42 states, Puerto Rico and the Marshall Islands.

New Web Resources for Rural Communities

USDA Rural Development has 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. To subscribe to USDA Rural Development updates, visit the GovDelivery subscriber page

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender.