Type to search

In-Brief

USDA assigns Puerto Rico $120K to repair rural housing

USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack (Credit: Wikipedia.org)

USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack (Credit: Wikipedia.org)

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced today that USDA is investing $3.7 million to help rural families repair and rehabilitate their homes across 46 states and Puerto Rico, where 10 towns will equally split $120,280.

The funds are being awarded through the Housing Preservation Grant program to support the renovation of 1,147 units, the federal agency said.

“Many low-income families in rural areas struggle to afford necessary housing upkeep,” Vilsack said. “This USDA program provides grants for repairs not only to ensure that properties are in compliance with health and safety codes, but also to help people lower their maintenance costs through energy efficiency and weatherization improvements. All of these efforts make sure rural folks can live in safe and healthy homes.”

The towns benefiting in Puerto Rico are: Juncos, Cabo Rojo, Corozal, Maricao, Yabucoa, Guánica, Coamo, Jayuya, Cayey, and Moca, the USDA announced.

USDA provides financing to local governments, public agencies, federally recognized Indian Tribes, non-profit organizations and faith-based and community groups. These entities distribute the grants to individual homeowners as well as to owners of multi-family rental properties or cooperative dwellings who rent to low- and very low-income residents.

Author Details
Author Details
Business reporter with 30 years of experience writing for weekly and daily newspapers, as well as trade publications in Puerto Rico. My list of former employers includes Caribbean Business, The San Juan Star, and the Puerto Rico Daily Sun, among others. My areas of expertise include telecommunications, technology, retail, agriculture, tourism, banking and most other segments of Puerto Rico’s economy.
Tags:

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *