Life has its ups and downs. We can make all the plans we want, but sometimes life throws a wrench in those plans. Things were looking up for Donna Carpegna in 1997. Donna was working with USDA Rural Development Area Specialist Wendell Alt to secure a Section 502 Direct Loan to build a home in Fort Ashby, West Virginia. She was thrilled and couldn’t believe that her dream of building her own home was coming to fruition.

“It was something I never thought I would be able to do,” said Donna.

Just a short time later, in 2001, life threw her a wrench and Donna’s dream almost vanished when her home suffered extensive fire damage due to an electrical issue. It was disheartening, but Donna was determined to rebuild.

“Never in a million years did I think I would have a fire,” said Donna. “It didn’t deter me though. I just knew that I had to keep going.”

Donna worked with her insurance company to begin the rebuilding process, which covered most of the repairs. Donna contacted Rural Development again and was able to finish the repairs thanks to a separate Direct Loan in 2008. Things were finally back on track, or so she thought.

Donna only had eight years left to pay off her loans when the COVID-19 pandemic hit. That’s when she lost her job and she worried she might lose the house too. She wasn’t sure what to do so she reached back out to the USDA. Thanks to funding from the American Rescue Plan, Donna was able to refinance her two Rural Development loans at a more affordable rate, which allowed her to stay in her home. 

Most recently when Donna found out she had several repairs that were causing safety issues, including a cracked flue thimble and flue liner, Rural Development was able to once again step in and assist her with a Section 504 Home Repair Grant.  

Rural Development has a long standing history of helping rural West Virginians like Donna buy, repair and build affordable homes. That’s why our housing programs are critical, because a house is more than just a place to lay your head, it represents financial security, an opportunity to build wealth and equity and it serves as a foundation for a better future. Just ask Donna.

“I wouldn’t have had this opportunity if it wasn’t for USDA and Mr. Alt,” said Donna. “Mr. Alt is a fantastic human and he and USDA helped me keep my house.”