WASHINGTON April 25, 2006- Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns today announced the availability of $1 million in grants that will provide for technical and supervisory housing assistance programs aimed to help rural residents to obtain or to continue to occupy affordable, suitable housing.

"USDA is helping to ensure that rural residents in greatest need are able to access safe and affordable housing," said Johanns. "To have a place to call home is the cornerstone of the American dream. I'm pleased that these funds will help enhance the quality of life and prosperity of rural America by supporting financial counseling and homeownership programs."

USDA is targeting up to $400,000 to eligible technical and supervisory housing assistance programs in rural Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas that serve residents affected by the 2005 Hurricanes. The remaining funds will be competed for nationally. No grant amount will exceed $100,000. Grants will support programs of homeownership and financial counseling as well as the delivery of housing programs.

Potential applicants include nonprofit corporations, agencies, institutions, organizations, Indian Tribes or other associations. Private nonprofit corporations and faith-based organizations meeting certain criteria may apply.

USDA Rural Development local State Offices are the contact point for a preapplication package and are also where preapplication proposals must be received by May 17, 2006. The notice of funding availability published in April 17, 2006 Federal Register, can be viewed at Rural Development's website, http://www.rurdev.usda.gov, click on Available Funds.

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 $63 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 1.1 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.