Source:  USDA, 10/410

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today selected 163 recipients in 50 states and the commonwealth of Puerto Rico for grants to repair and improve housing for low- and very-low-income rural residents. USDA's Rural Housing Administrator Tammye Treviño announced the grant recipients on behalf of Secretary Vilsack during a speech in Boston today to the National Council of State Housing Agencies.

"The Obama Administration is working to ensure that rural homeowners have safe, sanitary, energy-efficient places to live, and USDA is working with community organizations and non-profit groups to help people make needed repairs," Vilsack said.

Housing Preservation Grants are provided to intermediaries such as town or county governments, public agencies, federally recognized Indian Tribes, and non-profit and faith-based organizations. The grants are then distributed from intermediaries to homeowners or owners of multi-family rental properties or cooperative dwellings who rent to low- and very-low-income residents. The grants may be used to make general repairs such as installing or improving plumbing or providing or enhancing access to people with disabilities. Funds can also be used to weatherize and make homes more energy-efficient.

USDA Rural Development's Housing Preservation Grants are often combined with state and local funds.

North Carolina
* Richmond County - $90,000
* Mountain Projects Inc. - $90,000
* Martin Community Action, Inc. - $90,000
* Town of Selma- $90,000
* County of Brunswick - $90,000