The USDA is accepting applications through its Housing Preservation Grant Program to help eligible applicants repair or rehabilitate housing owned or occupied by low and very-low income rural citizens.

Eligible applicants include town or county governments, public agencies, federally recognized Indian tribes, and nonprofit and faith-based organizations — homeowners are not included.

Applicants are encouraged to select projects that will support recommendations made in the Report to the President of the United States from the Task Force on Agriculture and Rural Prosperity. From the USDA grant announcement:

Applicants are encouraged to consider projects that provide measurable results in helping rural communities build robust and sustainable economies through strategic investments in infrastructure, partnerships and innovation. Key strategies include:
• Achieving e-Connectivity for Rural America
• Developing the Rural Economy
• Harnessing Technological Innovation
• Supporting a Rural Workforce
• Improving Quality of Life

To leverage investments in rural property, USDA Rural Development also encourages projects located in rural Opportunity Zones where projects should provide measurable results in helping communities build robust and sustainable economies. 

Applications are due by 5:00 p.m. (EDT) on July 8, 2019, to the Maryland/Delaware Rural Development State Office. For more information, please contact Jeff Williams or Tonya Craven.

For more information:

USDA Seeks Applications for Grants to Help Repair Housing in Rural Communities

Housing Preservation Grants in Maryland (USDA)