San Juan, Puerto Rico, March 18, 2024 – Maximiliano J. Trujillo-Ortega, USDA Rural Development's State Director for Puerto Rico, announced today a Community Facility loan to the Municipality of Loíza for the purchase of Essential Equipment and a grant for the rehabilitation of the residence of Mrs. Iris Lorenzo Manzo.
Ms. Lorenzo Manzo, retired, with limited income, is a resident of the Villa Carmen Sector of the Medianía Baja neighborhood in Loíza. with a house in urgent need of improvements. Her house, built on her grandparents' land, had been hit by Hurricane Fiona. Doña Iris had made multiple efforts to seek help for her situation but had been unsuccessful.
The concrete, wood, and zinc residence suffered from leaks and had several structural deficiencies, which did not comply with building codes and standards.
Trujillo-Ortega indicated that Rural Development after evaluating the case awarded a grant of approximately $60,000 from the "Presidential Grant for Disaster Home Repair and Section 504" funds. The donation was used to demolish the second floor, which was uninhabitable, and to remodel the first floor in concrete, which serves as her home. The repairs provide Ms. Lorenzo Manzo with a safe and adequate house improving her quality of life.
Trujillo-Ortega indicated that, as of March 8, 2024, the maximum amount of aid under the Presidential Disaster Home Repair Grant increased to $42,920. He urged Puerto Rican to apply for the program, as funds are still available, for people who suffered damage from Hurricane Fiona.
Trujillo-Ortega added that, "Today we are also announcing a federal loan for the purchase of essential equipment and vehicles to provide services to the community in the municipality of Loíza." The vehicles that will be received will be distributed among the Office of Emergency Management, Municipal Public Works, Municipal Police, and the Municipal Sanitation Office. USDA Rural Development provided a low-interest loan of $2,384,590 for the purchase of this equipment.
Trujillo-Ortega reminds municipalities and non-profit entities that there are still natural disaster recovery funds due to the 2022 Presidential declaration. These include damage to community facilities, equipment, and water systems affected by Hurricane Fiona.
USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities and create jobs 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 areas. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov/pr.
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