**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE FOR INFORMATION CONTACT:**

Roger Hazuka - (605) 352-1133\
Tammi Schone - (605) 352-1102

**USDA RURAL DEVELOPMENT ANNOUNCES THE AVAILABILITY\
OF LOANS, GUARANTEES AND GRANTS\
*[Applications Being Accepted for Housing Programs]{.underline}***

**(Huron, South Dakota -- April 13, 2006)** The United States Department
of Agriculture is inviting applications for the rural rental housing
direct program, the guaranteed rural rental housing program and the
housing preservation grant program. USDA Rural Development programs
provide assistance to families seeking secure, safe, and affordable
housing.

"Each year we work with local lenders, organizations and others to
create additional affordable housing," said USDA Rural Development State
Director Lynn D. Jensen. He continued, "We want to assist families in
improving their quality of life and enhancing economic opportunities in
rural America."

The rural rental housing direct loan program provides loans for
multi-family housing complexes in rural areas. This year applications
are being accepted for Spearfish, Brookings, Sturgis, Box Elder, Martin,
Dell Rapids, Lennox, Brandon, Tea, Canistota, Marion, Hartford, Freeman,
Valley Springs, Baltic, Crooks, Rapid Valley, and all communities on
South Dakota Indian reservations, except for Standing Rock, which is
served by USDA Rural Development in North Dakota. The deadline for
submitting loan applications is May 19, 2006.

Under the guaranteed rural rental housing program, USDA provides loan
guarantees to lenders, who in turn provide loans for the construction of
rural multi-family housing complexes. USDA will guarantee the lender's
loan, up to 90 percent of the total development cost. All applications
will be reviewed on an ongoing basis until June 16, 2006. Applications
received after that date will be held for review subject to the
availability of funds.

Housing preservation grant funds are awarded to qualified public
agencies, private nonprofit organizations, and other eligible entities,
which will leverage the USDA grant funds with private, state and local
funds to further extend the housing repair assistance into their local
community. The deadline for housing preservation grant applications is
May 19, 2006.

In addition, single-family housing direct and guaranteed funds are
available to assist rural families become homeowners. These funds help
families build their own homes and bring homeownership to families
living in communities less than 20,000 population.

Program applications and procedures for these programs was published in
the March 20, 2006 Federal Register. Further information regarding these
programs and the application process can be obtained by visiting USDA
Rural Development's web site at <http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rhs>, or by
contacting the USDA Rural Development state office in Huron or the
nearest USDA Rural Development office located in Aberdeen, Huron,
Watertown, Mitchell, Sioux Falls, Yankton, Pierre, Rapid City, and
Sturgis.

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. 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>.

**- USDA -**