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Does your home need improvements or weatherization?
"USDA Rural Development may be able to help you if you are in need of repairs, improvement, modernization, or removal of health and safety hazards," stated State Director Rick Rice.
USDA Rural Development has Section 504 Loan and Grant programs that allow elderly people with very low incomes to maintain their independence by allowing them to remain in their own homes and improving the quality of their lives.
The loan program is available to any rural person with a very low income, but most program beneficiaries are elderly.
The 504 loan program helps qualifying applicants repair, improve, and/or modernize their home, make it safe and sanitary, or remove health and safety hazards.
One percent (1%) fixed rate loans are available to very low income rural homeowners to make substantial home repairs when other loan options are not available.
The 504 Grant program is available exclusively to very-low-income rural seniors aged 62 or older.
Both programs provide funds to make such major repairs or renovations as removing electrical and fire hazards, replacing roofing, installing or improving water and waste-water disposal systems, making homes accessible for people with disabilities, and installing insulation and heating and cooling systems.
Grant recipients must lack repayment ability for any portion of the assistance being received as a Grant.
Under this Housing 504 program, Rural Development may lend a $20,000 maximum loan amount with terms not exceeding 20 years in addition to provision of Grants not exceeding $7,500 or a combination of both Loan and Grant not exceeding $27,500 to qualifying existing homeowner/occupants.
Applicants must be the owner and occupant of the home they are seeking to be rehabilitated from receipt of the requested Rural Housing 504 assistance. They also must show repayment ability on any portion of the assistance being received as a Loan. In West Virginia, call 1-800-295-8228 to be put in touch with the appropriate personnel serving your county. | 
