Rural access to quality housing would have been far more limited and rural living standards nationally would be significantly lower. These families include teachers, nurses, local police, firefighters. They also include very low-income families. On average, 2.5 jobs are created with each new home built. The wages and revenues generated for local and state governments also extend the impact of these federal dollars.
Testimonials are plentiful.
They include expressions of gratitude from those who had been homeless, as well as those who had lived in unsafe and unsanitary housing. People who own their own homes also generally take better care of their property and community. The home mortgage interest deduction increases the consumer power of families. In recent years, USDA has expanded its rural housing program options. We now work with mortgage banks and community development corporations to leverage more financing dollars and provide homebuyer education services.