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Success Stories

A mother and three daughters pose around a dining room table. There are lace curtains and blue wall in the background and some dishes on the table in the foreground.

“This is Home” – A Family Finds Their Forever Home in Calais, Maine

One of the first rooms Heather Gagne and her daughters began redecorating in their new home is the dining room, shown in the top photo. They have been busy repainting and making other updates. Raising a family in coastal Machias, Maine may sound lovely, but for Heather Gagne recent years proved stressful. There were few housing options in their Downeast community, and Heather was glad to find a rental home to…
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Use the filters below to find additional stories about how our programs have helped rural communities across the nation.

Search Results: 140 Stories
Photo of Corina Ponce and her son

USDA Helps Renovate Homeowner’s Safe Haven

Nearly three years ago, Corina Ponce had purchased a bank-owned home in Redfield, SD. She acquired the property knowing it had been vacant for a few years and needed major repairs. The time had come when she was ready to move forward with repairs to the home. One evening, she… [Read More]
Home RepairHomeownershipHousing

A Single Mother's Blessing

"It is truly a blessing to come home each day to our peaceful environment," said Amanda Gilliard. The goal of graduating from college and purchasing a home for her family has been realized. For the last seven years, Amanda has maintained full-time employment, complete a four-… [Read More]
Homeownership
inside homeowners home picture

More Than a Dream Come True for Aberdeen, South Dakota Homeowner

Tessa Dosch lives in Aberdeen, SD and had been living in a rental property for several years that was in poor condition.  It needed major repairs to the foundation, and it had old, drafty windows. Tessa had been longing to own a home of her own. One fall day, she had been… [Read More]
Homeownership
Ashley Schoefield's new home photo

Partnerships Work as Validated by a Happy New Homeowner

Ashley Schofield is a teacher in the Kadoka school system. Ashley had a dream of giving her young children a home of their own. She heard of a lot in town, but the house had been condemned. She contacted the city; the city demolished the house and her mother bought the lot so… [Read More]
Homeownership
Ms. Hill in her new home.

RD Helps Mother Buy Her First Home

One of the most rewarding feelings for us at USDA Rural Development is making the call to an applicant once they're approved for a loan under the 502 Direct Home Program. You can hear the excitement in their voice and you can feel the gratitude through the phone lines.… [Read More]
HomeownershipHousing
Home of Glaser.

From a Renter to a Homeowner

Tyler Glaser was tired of renting and wanted a home he could shape into his own.  As he works in Norfolk, Neb. it was an easy decision for him to decide where he wanted to own.   "My Mom works at a title company in Norfolk and pointed me in the right direction to… [Read More]
Homeownership

Ready to Buy Our Home

Miranda Keifer is a single mother of a nine year old daughter.  They currently live in Norfolk, Neb. which they decided to call their hometown.    Miranda had rented for years and was now ready to take the ultimate step, buying her first house. "I decided to buy… [Read More]
Homeownership
Edna Contreras became a first-time homeowner in Spring of 2020 at the age of 71. She realized that this long-time dream could become a reality with the help of USDA's Single-Family Housing Program.

It's Never Too Late

As a single mother of two children, Edna Contreras worked hard but didn't think it was possible for her to actually own her own home until she learned about USDA Rural Development.   With her children grown, Edna was living in a place where she struggled to afford… [Read More]
Homeownership
Ramos Family outside their home in Wallkill, NY.

Homeownership Essential for this Essential Worker!

   Purchasing your first home is both exciting and challenging.  But, navigating a loan closing with over $20,000 in rehabilitation work during a pandemic certainly requires persistence and support.  This was no problem for this multi-tasking essential health… [Read More]
Homeownership
Simmons Home

What Are You Waiting For

It was a Sunday afternoon when Berlynn Simmons was standing in line to check out at a local big box store located in the Low Country of South Carolina.  She noticed that a local Realtor was standing in the line behind her and decided to ask her some questions about the home… [Read More]
Homeownership

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