The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development is reaching out to low-income Audrain County residents with programs to help them purchase or renovate homes.

Kelly Hustedde with the USDA’s single-family rural housing development program talked about it at the bi-monthly Audrain County Municipalities meeting on Jan. 29, in the Audrain County Courthouse.

“We’re out here for those that are low and very low income to help everybody out and make their life better and a little bit easier,” Hustedde said at the meeting. 

The program offers home loans to low and very low-income earners with rates as low as one percent. Seniors can get up to $10,000 in loans with a one percent interest rate for upgrades to their homes like wheelchair ramps, air conditioners, or a new roof or kitchen. Seniors over 62 with very low incomes can qualify for grants.

“I’ve seen loans as low as $20 a month for some people,” Hustedde said.

Rates in the city are as low as 5.125 percent and can be as low as one percent based on income. Hustedde said the low-income mark for Audrain County is close to $33,000. Loans can have terms of up to 33 years and can be paid back early.

“If you know people who want to purchase a home, this would be a great program,” Hustedde said.

For more information contact Hustedde at kelly.hustedde@usda.gov.