Montgomery, Ala., October 22, 2021 – Alabama State Director for USDA Rural Development Nivory Gordon, Jr. today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing $193,394 in grants to help the University of Alabama provide financial wellness training to first-time homebuyers in rural west Alabama.
“Homeownership in Alabama’s rural communities is crucial to the continued growth and development of rural Alabama”, Gordon, Jr. said. “Through investments like the one made here today, we can help rural individuals and families purchase a home, maintain a home, and to thrive in rural Alabama”.
This grant, which was made to the University of Alabama, will provide financial wellness training program to low-to-moderate income individuals and families who are on the path to first-time homeownership in Greene County, Alabama. The HomeFirst financial wellness program will provide financial coaching, individualized support, and program referrals to underserved and low-income individuals and families who are seeking first-time homeownership. This investment will give low-to-moderate income individuals the financial tools necessary to assist in core areas of housing and financial capability, including savings, money management, credit building, debt reduction, and homebuyer education.
USDA is financing this project, which will be based out of Eutaw, Alabama, through the Rural Community Development Initiative Grant program. This financial wellness program will benefit the 9,045 rural residents of Greene County.
Background:
The Rural Community Development Initiative Grant program provides funding to help non-profit housing and community development organizations, low-income rural communities and federally recognized tribes support housing, community facilities and community and economic development projects in rural areas. This program serves eligible rural areas with populations of 50,000 or less.
To learn more about investment resources for rural areas in Alabama, contact your local USDA Rural Development area 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.
USDA touches the lives of all Americans each day in so many positive ways. In 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.
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