Contact: Leslie Strauss | 202-842-8600, ext. 141 | leslie@ruralhome.org

Washington, D.C., Feb. 1, 2008 – Low-income residents are not the only ones assisted when their homes in rural America are rehabilitated. Benefits spread to their communities and the environment, as described in the winter issue of Rural Voices magazine.

“Rehabilitation has its own special challenges,” explained Moises Loza, executive director of the Housing Assistance Council, which publishes Rural Voices. “Beginning a small task can uncover unexpected larger problems in a house. Working with residents is harder than finishing a new, empty building. Funding, scheduling, and paperwork can be difficult.

“But the articles in this issue of Rural Voices show why rehab is worth doing,” Loza continued. “It improves the quality of life for owners and renters, both physically and mentally. It helps people remain in their homes as they age. It increases energy efficiency, reducing utility costs while improving the environment. And one fixed-up house may encourage neighbors to repair their homes as well.”

Articles in this magazine cover several specific aspects of rural housing rehabilitation, from improved accessibility for aging residents to weatherization, preservation of older rental properties, and “green,” environmentally friendly rehabilitation strategies. An experienced rehab program manager gives a personal perspective on the subject. Some important rehab resources are explained as well.

Rural Voices, the quarterly magazine of the Housing Assistance Council, is available on HAC’s website, www.ruralhome.org. Notices of new issues are sent to those who subscribe at lists.ruralhome.org. Print subscriptions by mail are also available; one subscription per organization is free, and additional subscriptions are $16 per year. To request a print subscription, contact Luz Rosas, HAC, 202-842-8600, luz@ruralhome.org.

A national nonprofit corporation headquartered in Washington, D.C., and founded in 1971, the Housing Assistance Council publishes numerous reports, program manuals, and other materials on rural housing topics. HAC helps local organizations build affordable homes in rural America by providing below-market financing, technical assistance, research, training, and information services. HAC’s programs focus on local solutions, empowerment of the poor, reduced dependency, and self-help strategies. HAC is an equal opportunity lender.

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