CENTRAL CITY, Iowa - June 9, 2005 - Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns today met with and toured the home of Tina Wood, a mother of four adopted children with disabilities, to learn first hand about how the USDA homeownership financing program is strengthening rural America.

"Homeownership is a cornerstone of the American dream and helps to drive the nation's economic growth," said Johanns. "It provides security for children, upward mobility for families, stabilization for neighborhoods and creates an even stronger rural America."

Johanns' visit to Central City is one in a series of events being held across the country in recognition of June as National Homeownership Month, which was proclaimed by President Bush on May 25, 2005. The President's proclamation states that, "families who own their own homes have a strong interest in maintaining the value of their investments, the safety of their neighborhoods and the quality of their schools. Homeownership is also a bedrock of the American economy, helping to increase jobs, boost demand for goods and services and build prosperity." Wood is participating in USDA Rural Development's guaranteed rural housing program. Along with guaranteeing the loan to purchase the home, USDA Rural Development also guaranteed nearly $30,000 in modifications to the home so that the three-year-old residence is accessible for her children.

Each year USDA Rural Development invests approximately $100 million in Iowa in the form of loans and grants that provide rural residents with decent, safe and sanitary single or multi-family housing. Housing loans can be obtained directly with USDA Rural Development or from a private financial institution. Last year, more than $70 million of these funds were utilized in the guaranteed rural housing program in Iowa, assisting 1,029 individuals or families with homeownership. During the first term of the Bush Administration, over $14.7 billion was invested nationally to help 170,000 rural families become homeowners.

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 $50 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 800,000 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.