USDA home repair program assists elderly homeowners

HILO, Hawaii—The USDA Rural Development has funding available to assist homeowners, especially those who are elderly, in need of essential repairs or improvements to remove any prevailing health or safety deficiencies to ensure the home is structurally safe and functionally adequate.

This financial assistance, under the Section 504 Home Repair Program, offers eligible homeowners on fixed or limited income an opportunity to improve their quality of life.

One of the primary purposes of this program is to address accessibility issues in a home to accommodate individuals with a disability or physical limitation, which may include a redesigned bath facility, ramp and other related improvements.

The program also provides funding for other costs of repair and site improvements including repairing structural supports and upgrading electrical and plumbing systems. However, funding for this program is not allowed to be used to complete an incomplete or nonconforming (unpermitted) dwelling nor may it be used to refinance any existing debts.

Aside from owning and occupying your own home in a rural area or community, the prospective applicant must be very low income (50 percent and below of area median income). Some of the other eligibility requirements include not having sufficient financial resources nor the ability to secure other credit, and must possess an acceptable credit history.

Due to the objective of this program, loans made carry an ultra low interest rate with terms based on repayment ability up to 20 years. A limited amount of grant funds may be available to assist eligible elderly applicants (62 years and older) to supplement loan funds when certain circumstances are met.

For specific details about the agency’s Section 504 Home Repair Program and application process, contact either the USDA Rural Development, Hilo Local Office at (808) 933-8330 or the Kona Local Office at (808) 322-2484. The USDA Rural Development is an equal opportunity employer and provider.

USDA Rural Development’s mission is to deliver programs in a way that will support increasing economic opportunity and improve the quality of life of rural residents. As a venture capital entity, Rural Development has invested over $63 billion since the beginning of the Bush Administration to provide equity and technical assistance to finance and foster growth in homeownership, business development, and critical community and technology infrastructure. As a result, over 1.1 million jobs have been created or saved through these investments. Further information on rural programs is available at a local USDA Rural Development office or by visiting USDA’s web site at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov. (PR)