**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE FOR INFORMATION CONTACT:**

Tammi Schone - (605) 352-1102

**PATIENCE AND PERSISTENCE MAKE HOMEOWNERSHIP A REALITY[\
*USDA Rural Development Homeownership Program Provides
Assistance*]{.underline}**

(Pierre, South Dakota -- January 22, 2007) Billie Garreaux had been
living in a house that was too small for her and her three children to
live comfortably. What she was looking for was a home with enough space
and enough bedrooms for each of her children.

Billie went to Cheyenne River Housing Authority (CRHA) for assistance
and learned about USDA Rural Development. They had a 502 Direct Home
ownership program that would fit her needs. CRHA Home Buyer Counselor
Kimberly Claymore, assisted Billie with completing an application and
USDA Rural Development approved her for a loan under the single family
housing 502 direct loan program. The application for assistance is a
cooperative effort to provide home ownership for a family through
assistance from both the USDA Rural Development 502 Direct program and
the Cheyenne River Housing Authority's leveraged loans and Home
Ownership Down Payment Assistance Program. After supporting
documentation and permission was received from the Tribal Council,
Kimberly Claymore -- CRHA Homebuyer Counselor, showed Billie which homes
were available for purchase in the Fox Ridge Development site located in
Eagle Butte and Billie selected the one she liked best. "Compared to
where I used to live, my new home is a lot roomier and it is a good
feeling knowing that I have something to call my own and will be able to
enjoy it in the coming years. In addition, my children will each have
their own bedroom," said Garreaux.

The Garreaux family moved into their own home at Fox Ridge just east of
Eagle Butte in August of 2006. Fox Ridge is a development built by the
Cheyenne River Housing Authority. USDA Rural Development 502 Direct Home
Loan Program is an assistance program offered to low-income families
meeting income-eligibility requirements. The houses in Fox Ridge all
have 4 bedrooms and a total square footage of 1,512. All the houses are
to be sold to people who will actually be living in the homes, not as
rental properties. "I'm very thankful to everyone who helped me in
getting my home. I appreciate everyone's hard work to make it possible.
It took a lot of hard work and patience on the part of CRHA, USDA Rural
Development and myself to work through the process, however in the end
it paid off. I encourage others to pursue their dream of homeownership
and don't give up, because with patience and persistence it can happen,"
said Garreaux.

Please contact the Pierre Rural Development Office at (605) 224-8870,
ext. 4 for additional information on Rural Development programs. The
office is located at 1717 N. Lincoln, Suite 102, Pierre, South Dakota.

USDA Rural Development's mission is to deliver programs in a way that
will support increasing economic opportunity and improve the quality of
life of rural residents. As a venture capital entity, Rural Development
provides equity and technical assistance to finance and foster growth in
homeownership, business development, and critical community and
technology infrastructure. Further information on rural programs is
available at a local USDA Rural Development office or by visiting USDA's
web site at [http://www.rurdev.usda.gov](http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/).

**- USDA -**