Washington, D.C., March 17, 2009 – A new report identifies the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s affordable rural housing activities as the kind of positive news about housing that is often lost among statistics related to foreclosures, prices, and greed. USDA Rural Development Housing Programs 2008, produced by the Housing Assistance Council, shows that USDA obligated approximately $8.9 billion in Fiscal Year 2008 for the production, repair, or support of over 200,000 units of affordable housing for low- and moderate-income families in rural areas.

Since the 1950s, the United States Department of Agriculture has built or repaired millions of affordable homes for rural Americans primarily through its Rural Development agency (formerly the Farmers Home Administration). HAC’s report highlights USDA’s single-family and multifamily housing programs, providing information generally not available to the public. It includes information on delinquency and foreclosure, rental housing preservation, and historic USDA rural housing activity. Data and maps in the report show fiscal year utilization and activities for most USDA housing programs at the state and national level.

“The impact of USDA Rural Development programs on rural housing conditions cannot be understated,” said Moises Loza, executive director of the Housing Assistance Council. “HAC is proud to provide this resourceas a tool for rural housing supporters and stewards alike.”

Much of the information in this report derives from HAC tabulations of program data provided by USDA. The entire publication along with individual reports and maps can be accessed free from HAC’s website at www.ruralhome.org/infoObligations.php.

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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 and preserve 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. More information is available at www.ruralhome.org.