Posted on

USDA grants $23K to local furnance replacement program

USDA grants $23K to local furnance replacement program

Charles City Area Development Corp. effort aids households in need

The Charles City Area Development Corporation’s Furnace Replacement Program is receiving a national boost to help 30 low income families, the USDA announced Wednesday. The CCADC was awarded $23,209 from the national Housing Preservation Grant program, out of the $3.7 million the USDA has pledged for 46 states and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.

The Housing Preservation Grant program targets 106 national property repair and maintenance projects, aiming to ensure properties comply with health and safety codes and improve energy efficiency, eventually lowering costs for owners.

“Many low-income families in rural areas struggle to afford necessary housing upkeep,” Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said in the announcement. “All these efforts make sure rural folks can stay in their homes.”

CCADC’s Furnace Replacement Program, announced in September, intends to cover full replacement costs for households that meet income income criteria, own/occupy the home, be current on property taxes and homeowner insurance and have an existing furnace that is at least 10 years old. Applications for 2016 will be accepted through Dec.

4, 2015, and are available at the CCADC offices, 401 North Main Street in Charles City. For more information, call 641-228-3020, or email ccadc@charlescityia.com. The application is also posted at www.charlescityia.com.

Since the start of the Obama Administration, USDA has provided almost $47 million in Housing Preservation Grants that have leveraged more than $167 million to repair and rehabilitate 12,000 homes and apartments in rural communities. USDA Rural Development has invested more than $3 billion on essential public facilities, small and emerging businesses, water and sewer systems, and housing opportunities for Iowa families.

This past year USDA Rural Development’s investment in Iowa helped create or retain more than 1,000 jobs, aided 2,400 families in buying their own homes and assisted more than 50 communities as they made improvements to their facilities, services and infrastructure.

Staff Report

Social Share

LATEST NEWS