Director, Don Harris,
Housing Programs donald.harris@tn.usda.gov

"Rural Development efforts in providing affordable, quality housing  are the responsibility of the Housing Programs," said Housing Program Director. "Home ownership has always been an important American Dream but for many rural residents this dream has not been realized due to economic conditions and a lack of affordable financing . The Housing Program is working daily to change this fact".   

PROGRAM

OBJECTIVE

APPLICANT

USES

POPULATION

LOAN/
GRANT

TERMS/
CONDITIONS

Single Family Home Ownership Loans

Safe, well built, affordable homes for rural Americans

Families and individuals apply to RD Area Office

Buy, build, improve, repair or rehabilitate rural homes as the applicant's permanent residence

Rural areas with populations 10,000 or less and MSA populations not to exceed 20,000

Direct loan

Up to 100% of market value or cost, whichever is less. Loan amortized for 33 years. Applicant may be eligible for payment assistance (subsidy) on the loan.

Single Family Home Repair Loans and Grants

To help very-low income applicants remove health and safety hazards or repair their homes.

Families and individuals who currently own their home apply to RD Area Office

Loan and grant purposes include:winterizing, purchase or repair of heating system, structural repair, water/sewage connect fees, and similar uses.

Rural areas with population 10,000 or less and MSA populations not to exceed 20,000

Direct Loan

Terms to 20 years @ 1% assistance to individual may not exceed $20,000. Grants available to applicants 62 years or older with limited income Maximum grant is $7500.

Self-Help Housing Loans

Individual homes built by a group of applicants, with construction guidance of a non-profit organization

Families and individuals apply to RD Area Office

Loan applications are processed on an individual basis for each participating family. Loan for site, material and skilled labor

Rural areas with populations 10,000 or less and MSA populations not to exceed 20,000

Direct Loan

The individual families receive a direct loan. The non-profit housing organization gets grant to hire a supervisor and pay other administrative expenses.

Single Family Home Ownership Loan Guarantees

Assist eligible applicants in buying their homes by guaranteeing private lender's loans

Families and individuals apply to intermediary

Loans may be made to purchase new or existing homes that are modest in cost

Rural areas with populations 10,000 or less and MSA populations not to exceed 20,000

Loan guarantee

30 year, fixed rate. Interest negotiated between lender and borrower. Loans to 100 percent of market value. Fee is 
1 1/2 % of loan.

Rental Housing for Families and Elderly Direct Loans and Loan Guarantees

Safe, well-built affordable rental housing for rural Americans

Individuals, profit and non-profit organizations. For guarantees, apply to intermediary; for direct, apply to RD Area Office

New construction or substantial rehabilitation of rental housing

Rural areas and populations of 20,000 or less

Direct loan or loan guarantee

Up to 100% of market value (non_profits), 97% (for profit)
Up to 50 years.

Housing Preservation Grants

Repair and rehabilitate housing owned or occupied by  low income rural people

Public bodies and non-profit corporations apply to RD Area Office

Operate a program which finances the repair and rehabilitation activities

Rural areas and populations of 20,000 or less

Grant

Grant Agreement Conditions

Community Facilities Programs

Provide essential community facilities for rural communities

Public bodies and non-profit corps. Guaranteed apply to intermediary Direct and grant apply to RD Area Office

Build facilities, equipment, operating costs.  Fire and rescue. Telecommunications for schools, libraries, hospitals. Not for recreation activities.

Rural areas and populations of 20,000 or less

Direct loan or loan guarantee Grant.

Up to 100% of market value. Up to 40 years or life of security.

Farm Labor Housing

Safe, well-built affordable rental housing for farm workers.

Individuals, profit and non-profit organizations apply to RD Area Office

New construction or substantial rehabilitation of rental housing

Rural areas and populations of 20,000 or less

Direct loan and grant

Up to 100% of market value. Up to 33 years @ 1% interest

Tennessee State Office
Mary (Ruth) Tackett, State Director
3322 West End Ave., Suite 300
Nashville, TN  37203-1071
(615) 783-1300
(615) 783-1301 (FAX)
(615) 783-1394 (FAX) RUS/RBS
(615) 783-1398 (FAX) RHS

Chattanooga Area Office
Rickey Hickman, Area Director
309A North Market Street
PO Box 4941
Chattanooga,  TN  37405
(423) 756-2239 Ext. 2
(423) 756-9278  (FAX)

Lawrenceburg Area Office
Faye Rodgers, Area Director
237 Waterloo Street
P.O Box 1046
Lawrenceburg, TN 38464
(931) 762-6913 Ext. 4
(931) 762-4193 (FAX)

Greeneville Area Office
Charles Brooks, Area Director
214 N. College St., Suite 300
Greeneville, TN  37733-0307
(423) 638-4771 Ext. 4
(423) 639-0956 (FAX)

Cookeville Area Office
Joe Woody , Area Director
Fountain Court
390 South Lowe Ave., Suite K
Cookeville, TN  38503
(931) 528-6539 Ext. 2
(931) 528-1976 (FAX)

Jackson Area Office
Harriet Cannon , Area Director
West Town Commons
85G Stonebrook Place
Jackson, TN 38305
(731) 668-2091 Ext. 2
(731) 668-6911 (FAX)

Knoxville Area Office
Jerry Amonett, Area Director
4730 New Harvest Lane, Suite 3
Knoxville, TN  37918
(865) 523-3338  Ext. 4
(865) 525-7622 (FAX)

Nashville Area Office
Christopher Westbrook, Area Director
3322 West End Ave., Suite 302
Nashville, TN  37203-6835
(615) 783-1359
(615) 783-1340 (FAX)

Covington Area Office
Harriet Cannon, Area Director
2043 Highway 51 South
PO Box 648
Covington,  TN  38019
(901)475-3350 Ext. 4
(901) 475-3356 (FAX)

Union City Area Office
Bobby Goode, Area Director
1216 Stad Avenue, Suite 3
PO Box 567
Union City, TN  38281
(731) 885-6480 Ext. 4
(731) 885-5487 (FAX)