There’s an old saying that goes, “Home is where you hang your hat.” For many Americans, home is much more than a structure with four walls and a roof. It’s where they showcase family photos in the hall or on the mantle, cook holiday meals, and rest after a long day. Home provides a place of comfort, security, and stability. For many individuals and families, that home is an apartment in a rural community made possible in part by Rental Assistance through USDA Rural Development (RD).
USDA is currently helping nearly 300,000 eligible tenants nationwide living in RD-financed multifamily housing afford to pay their rent through RD’s rental assistance program. This ensures low-income and elderly tenants pay no more than 30% of their income in rent. During a time when many people are struggling to keep up with rising costs of food, gasoline and everyday necessities, this funding is critical to making sure everyone has a place to call home.
For 21 families in Union Valley Apartments in Finleyville, Pennsylvania, this funding means the tenants can live in the town they describe as safe and friendly.
Union Valley resident Carole Fosbaugh has health issues that make it difficult to walk up the hill from the bus stop to her apartment. With rental assistance, Carole doesn’t have to spend as much of her income on rent; she hopes to buy a used car so she can get to and from the doctor and other places without having to walk up that hill.
“[Rental assistance] helps seniors very much, because we all live on limited incomes, and sometimes it’s very hard,” Fosbaugh said. “So, when you end up getting that, it makes life a lot, lot better.”
This program supports President Biden’s recent action plan to help renters who are struggling with high rental costs, with a particular focus on building and preserving rental housing for low- and moderate-income families.
As the nation celebrates National Homeownership Month, we also recognize families who take great pride in their cozy, safe and affordable apartments. For more information about this program, or to see if you or your loved ones may quality to live in an RD-assisted apartment, visit Multifamily Housing Rentals (USDA RD).
Stay tuned for more stories from RD as we continue celebrating National Homeownership Month throughout June.
