Funding Resources

Funding for fire departments in rural areas or rural communities (defined as populations of less than 10,000). Departments may purchase firefighting equipment on a matching funds basis. Grants are evaluated and distributed based on need. Priority funding is given to wildland fire equipment, safety items and communication needs.

The program provides grants and technical assistance to communities, states, tribes and others to assess, safely clean up and sustainably reuse contaminated properties. Several types of funding are available including Assessment grants, Cleanup grants, etc.

Program provides Federal funds to local units of government for addressing their housing needs in the form of grants to cities for demolition of dilapidated houses, rehabilitation of renter and owner-occupied homes. Project must benefit low-to-moderate income persons (at least 51%) per U.S. Census or official survey process. Communities can receive up to $300,000 for housing rehabilitation and /or demolition.

This program provides funds for developers creating rental housing for extremely low-income household renters. Funds are awarded on a competitive basis annually.

Moderate Income Housing grants and/or loans are awarded to cities and counties to develop multi-family rental units and single-family for-purchase homes in communities with populations fewer than 60,000 people.

The First Time Homebuyer Program helps income-eligible households purchase their first home by providing down payment assistance.

Also known as the Section 502 Direct Loan Program, this program assists low- and very-low-income applicants obtain decent, safe and sanitary housing in eligible rural areas by providing payment assistance to increase an applicant’s repayment ability.