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USDA Celebrates National Homeownership Month

Name
Charron Culp
Email
Charron.Culp@usda.gov
Phone
(615) 783-1300
City
NASHVILLE
Release Date

NASHVILLE, Tenn., June 1, 2021 - Today, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack kicked off National Homeownership Month, as part of a nationwide celebration to highlight U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) efforts to provide access to affordable housing for rural Americans.

“Safe, energy-efficient, affordable housing is essential to the vitality of communities in rural America,” said Secretary Vilsack. “The American Rescue Plan is providing critical relief to rural homeowners and helping to keep more Americans in their homes. USDA is committed to using our resources to help support healthy, resilient and more equitable communities through homeownership.”

In Tennessee, USDA invested more than $1.1 billion to help rural families and individuals buy homes in rural areas. USDA Rural Development supports rural homeownership through the following programs:

  • The Single Family Housing Direct Home Loan Program provides loans directly to families and individuals so they can buy or build homes in rural America. In fiscal year 2020, Tennessee invested $47.5 million to help families and individuals purchase a home.
  • Through its Single Family Housing Guaranteed Loan Program, Tennessee has partnered with several private lending institutions, backing their loans to help more than 6,600 families and individuals buy homes in rural areas. We are proud to partner with Mortgage Investors Group, First Community Mortgage, Cardinal Financial Company, CMG Mortgage Inc. and A Mortgage Boutique; just to name a few.
  • The Home Repair Loan and Grant Program provides loans and grants to help families and individuals repair and modernize homes, making them safer, healthier places to live. In fiscal year 2020, Tennessee invested more than $2.7 million to help families improve the quality of their homes.
  • The Mutual Self-Help Housing Grant Program provides grants to qualified organizations to help them carry out local self-help housing construction projects. Through this program, USDA Rural Development - Tennessee has worked with the Crossville Housing Authority to provide a unique opportunity for families and individuals to lower the overall purchase price of a new home by investing “sweat equity” into its construction.   

To learn more about USDA homeownership programs, please visit the Single Family Housing program webpage or contact the Rural Development - Tennessee State Office.

Under 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. If you’d like to subscribe to USDA Rural Development updates, visit our GovDelivery subscriber page. 

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USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.