The United States Department of Agriculture has chosen Kansas as one of 25 states and U.S. territories to participate in a new pilot program. The USDA says the pilot program under the Single Family Housing Home Repair Loans and Grants program will help homeowners in rural areas more quickly make needed repairs to their homes in areas placed under a Presidential Disaster Declaration or live in Rural Partner Network communities. Many contractors require a 50% upfront before ordering materials and work begins. Under the pilot program, suppliers will be paid directly or to the contractor after receipt of a paid invoice. The USDA says the new pilot program will help homeowners make needed repairs or improvements to their homes while preventing fraud. Under the Single Family Housing Home Repair Loans and Grants program, low-income homeowners can receive loans of up to $40,000, and those over 62 can receive grants of up to $10,000. The 20-year term loans have a 1% interest rate. For those over 62, the loans can be combined with the grant for a maximum lifetime total of $50,000.
Source: KSN-TV
