Willie Hall and his family are enjoying the American Dream and USDA Rural Development has been with him along the way. Willie was a tenant at Roxbury Ridge Apartments, a Rural Development Multi-Family Housing complex in Shippensburg for many years. He recently accepted a full time position and took the step forward from rental housing to homeownership with the help of a Rural Development Direct low interest home loan. Willie and his family of five are now settled into a 3-bedroom home in a quiet Chambersburg suburb.

In honor of National Homeownership Month, which is celebrated each June to highlight the important role housing plays in creating jobs, maintaining viable rural communities and contributing to the economy, Willie Hall was recognized by Rural Development State Director Tom Williams and Acting Administrator for Rural Business Programs John Padalino. Since 2009, Rural Development has helped 10,960 rural Pennsylvania families in more than 1300 communities buy or refinance a home.

USDA also provides loans and grant funds to help rural homeowners repair their homes and to assist affordable rural rental property owners repair their properties. The application deadline is June 25. For information on how to apply, please see page 27179 of the May 9, 2012 Federal Register or visit the Federal Register website here.

USDA helps credit-worthy limited-income rural residents achieve the dream of homeownership.  To find out more click here.