![](media/image1.wmf)![](media/image2.wmf)

![](media/image3.wmf)

![](media/image4.wmf)

**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: FOR INFORMATION CONTACT:**

January 7, 2003 Pam Reilly - (605) 352-1132 or

Patrick Gross - (605) 624-7060 or

\(605\) 352-1102

**RURAL DEVELOPMENT INVITES APPLICATIONS TO BUILD AND REPAIR RURAL
RENTAL HOUSING**

**Huron** - The United States Department of Agriculture is inviting
applications to help build affordable housing in rural areas, including
South Dakota, according to Rural Development State Director Lynn D.
Jensen. The money, available as low interest loans from USDA, will be
awarded based on a competitive application process. Jensen also
announced that additional funds will be available for rental assistance
to make housing affordable to low-income South Dakotans.

In South Dakota, twenty-seven (27) communities are eligible for new
rental housing projects. Those communities which are eligible include:
Waubay, Spearfish, Brookings, Sturgis, Lennox, Pine Ridge, Yankton, Dell
Rapids, Box Elder, Brandon, Bowdle, Valley Springs, Martin, Miller,
Hartford, Colton, Volga, Marion, Plankinton, Onida, Black Hawk, Tea,
Ellsworth AFB, DeSmet, Eureka, Tripp and Rapid Valley.

Additionally, all communities on South Dakota Indian Reservations,
except Standing Rock, which is served by Rural Development in North
Dakota, are eligible for rental housing projects.

A portion of the new funds will be used for repair and rehabilitation
loans on existing projects. In South Dakota there are approximately 520
existing projects which are eligible.

Application deadline for funding is February 25, 2003. Applications are
available at all ten South Dakota Rural Development offices, located on
Rural Development\'s South Dakota Home Page at:
<http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/sd/index.htm>. Program criteria and
application process information can be obtained by accessing Rural
Development\'s National Office Home Page at:
<http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rhs>. Interested parties may also call the
Rural Housing Service of USDA Rural Development in Huron at (605)
352-1132.

Jensen said applicants are strongly encouraged to contact USDA Rural
Development as soon as possible for assistance with applications.

USDA Rural Development is the lead federal entity for rural economic and
community development needs. It administers financial and technical
assistance through a network of state Rural Development offices, various
non-profit and educational institutional partners, and its national
office. Rural Development provides access to a range of financial and
intellectual tools (including technical and educational assistance,
loans, loan guarantees, and grants) through the Rural
Business-Cooperative Service, Rural Housing Service, Rural Utilities
Service and the Office of Community Development. Further information on
USDA Rural Development can be obtained by contacting your local USDA
Service Center or by visiting USDA\'s web site at
http://www.rurdev.usda.gov.

**-USDA-**

*The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits
discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race,
color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political
beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or family status. (Not all
prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who
require alternative means for communication of program information
(Braille, large print, audio tape, etc.) should contact USDA\'s TARGET
Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of
discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room
326-W, Whitten Building, 14^th^ and Independence Avenue, SW, Washington,
DC 20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice or TDD). USDA is an equal
opportunity employer.*