An announcement appeared in the Federal Register on Tuesday, April 27, 2010, that Rural Housing Service would begin accepting applications.  A total of $10,146,815.03 is available nationwide for the HPG Program for Fiscal Year 2010.  Decisions on funding will be based on pre-applications.   PRE-APPLICATIONS MUST BE RECEIVED BY 5:00 P.M. ON MONDAY, JUNE 28, 2010.  States generally receive up to $100,000 each to fund grant applications.

The link for the Notice of Funding Availability in the federal register is: http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/pdf/2010-9648.pdf

Who is eligible to Apply: A public body or a public or private non-profit corporation and Indian Tribes with the legal, administrative, and technical capacity to carry out the objectives of the program.

Purpose: The purpose of the Housing Preservation Grant Program is to provide loans, grants, interest reduction payments or other assistance to very low and low income homeowners, owners of single or multiple unit rental properties or for the benefit of owners (as occupants) of consumer cooperative housing projects.  Such assistance will be used to reduce the cost of repair and rehabilitation, to remove or correct health or safety hazards, to comply with applicable development standards or codes, or to make needed repairs to improve the general living conditions of the resident(s) including improved accessibility by handicapped persons.

ContactInformation:

In Vermont, pleasecontact Tammy Surprise at 802-828-6028 ortammy.surprise@vt.usda.gov

In New Hampshire,please contact Sandra Hawkins at 603-223-6049 orsandra.hawkins@nh.usda.gov