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Housing programs are administered through the Rural Development
Alaska State Office, located in Palmer. Housing program services are
also provided through field offices located in
Bethel,
Dillingham,
Fairbanks,
Kenai,
Nome and
Sitka.
The state office staff, along with field office employees, work
directly with the public to provide loan and grant services.
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Achieving the dream of homeownership:
USDA Rural Development Alaska Housing Specialist Catherine
Milazzo (Left) stands with three members of the Beall family
(Right to Left, front row, Mary, Sarah and Shannon). The Beall
family built their own home near Wasilla through USDA Rural
Development’s “Self Help” program, under the direction of the
Alaska Community Development Corporation. Also shown (back row)
is Bobbie Moline Jackson of Oklahoma. She and her 15 year old
daughter traveled to Alaska with the faith-based group
“Worldchangers” and worked on the Beall home and seven other
self help homes for a week during the summer of 2008. |
502 Direct (Leveraged) Loans
These homeownership loans assist income eligible residents attain
affordable housing. RHS funds are combined with resources from a private
lender or another funding agency. No down payment is required. This
program offers interest rates that can be subsidized down to 1%. The
Self-Help program allows applicants to participate in the construction
of their homes to build sweat equity. Rural Housing Service helped seven
families begin construction work on their own homes in conjunction with
the Alaska Community Development Corporation. Contact Cathy Milazzo 761-7725 for more information.
502 Loan Guarantees (GRH)
GRH homeownership loans are available to applicants with the
financial ability to make mortgage payments, but may not have the
necessary down payment. Applicants apply for a housing loan through an
approved lender, who submits the application to RHS for guarantee.
Mortgages are 30-year fixed rate at market interest rates. Contact Karen
LaMouria 761-7731 or Nancy Hayes 761-7742 for more information.
504 Home Improvement Loans and Grants
Rural homeowners, who need to remove immediate health or safety
hazards, or bring their homes up to minimum property standards, may
qualify for an RHS repair loan of up to $20,000 at 1% interest.
Qualified homeowners aged 62 years or older may qualify for a grant of
up to $7,500. Contact Cathy Milazzo 761-7725 for more information.
Multi-Family Housing Loans
RHS provides financing for the development of modest apartments
targeted specifically for income eligible tenants in rural areas.
Apartments are designed for families, individuals, elderly (aged 62 and
older), and disabled tenants. The units are developed, owned, and
operated by private or non-profit borrowers. Some projects receive
Rental Assistance, a tenant subsidy that helps pay rent and utility
costs. Applications are accepted pursuant to a Notice of Funding
Availability (NOFA) published annually in the Federal Register in
December or January. Contact Cindy Jackson 761-7723 for more
information.
Housing Preservation Grants
Public and private non-profit organizations can apply for grant money
to rehabilitate housing owned and occupied by income eligible applicants
in their community. The grantees provide homeowners with financial
assistance through loans or grants, for necessary repairs and
rehabilitation. Applications are accepted pursuant to a Notice of
Funding Availability (NOFA) published annually in the Federal Register
in January or February. Contact Cindy Jackson 761-7723 for more
information.
Self-Help Technical Assistance Grant
RHS provides grants to eligible organizations to assist small groups
of income eligible families and individuals build their own homes and
earn sweat equity. Grantees provide technical and supervisory assistance
to prospective applicants in developing suitable housing and become
successful homeowners. Contact Cathy Milazzo 761-7725 for more information. |
