What federal resources are available for housing assistance?
USDA and HUD are the major federal programs providing direct assistance to low-income rural homeowners and renters. Each agency administers a large number of programs. Rural Development Housing and Community Facilities Program or often referred as the Rural Housing Service within USDA administers programs that assist with the purchase and rehabilitation of single and multi-family homes. These programs offer mortgage financing and loans to low-income and working families who are unable to obtain financing from conventional sources. Rental assistance is also available. For additional information, see USDA’s Rural Development Housing and Community Facilities Program website. U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development or HUD programs include the Small Community Block Grant program, the Housing Voucher program and other programs designed to encourage the production and rehabilitation of low-income housing. For information on HUD affordable housing programs, see the HUD website.