WASHINGTON, September 28, 2007 – Agriculture Under Secretary for Rural Development Thomas C. Dorr today announced the selection of recipients of $9.6 million in Housing Preservation grants to repair or rehabilitate individual housing and rental properties owned or occupied by very low-and low-income rural citizens. The 149 awards will be distributed to community organizations in 49 states, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and the Western Pacific.

"Every citizen deserves to live in safe and affordable housing," Dorr said. "I am pleased that these USDA Rural Development funds will help rural Americans across the nation and in U.S. territories make needed repairs to their homes. The grants will help low-income families fix housing problems such as leaking roofs, unsafe plumbing or crumbling foundations."

The grants are being awarded to intermediaries -- such as town or county governments, Indian Tribes or nonprofit organizations -- which, in turn, provide grant funds to homeowners or owners of multi-family rental properties or cooperative dwellings.

For example, the Rolling Plains Management Corporation in Crowell, Texas, was selected for a $75,000 grant to rehabilitate 37 houses in 12 counties. The project is intended to enhance the health, safety and well being of low-income homeowners and help rehabilitate local neighborhoods. The Southern Appalachian Labor School, Kincaid, W.Va., was selected for a $72,000 grant to rehabilitate housing for rural coal workers living in coal camps. The city of Montpelier, Vt., was selected for a $50,000 grant to help 10 very-low-income homeowners bring their homes into compliance with local housing standards and codes, including energy efficiency standards. The grant funds awarded are contingent upon the recipient meeting the conditions of the grant agreement. A complete list of the selected recipients is posted on the USDA Rural Development web site at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov

USDA Rural Development's mission is to increase economic opportunity and improve the quality of life for rural residents. Rural Development has invested more than $76.8 billion since 2001 for equity and technical assistance to finance and foster growth in homeownership, business development, and critical community and technology infrastructure. More than 1.5 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 .