Although low-income and working families in rural areas are more likely than their urban counterparts to own their homes, many rural homeowners live in substandard housing. The social service programs that provide assistance to families to bring their homes up to code are few and far between. The elderly, a significant population in rural areas, need housing accommodations that enable them to stay in their own homes rather than be forced to leave their communities for assisted living facilities or nursing homes. Homelessness exists in rural communities although it is less noticeable because relatives or friends often provide temporary living arrangements for homeless individuals.
Most housing and social service providers in rural communities are located in county population centers, or they are multi-county organizations that are not easily accessible. Various federal agencies have housing programs that provide help. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) funds three primary types of housing assistance to low-income families: public housing, tenant-based housing and project-based programs. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Housing Service (RHS) operates a broad range of programs that provide assistance regarding homeownership, housing rehabilitation and preservation funding, rental assistance and help to developers of multi-family housing and community facilities.
For information on improving housing conditions
for the rural poor
Housing
Assistance Council (HAC)
Telephone: 202.842.8600
E-mail: hac@ruralhome.org
For information on human service
resources
United Way's 2-1-1 information centers are available 24/7
(services vary from community to community). Dial 2-1-1
to reach a center.
For information on rural housing
programs
USDA Rural
Development/Rural Housing Programs
For questions about the programs and for applications,
contact the Rural Development Office for your state.
Find
your Rural Development State Office
RD/RHS Centralized Servicing Center
Telephone: 800.414.1226 (English and Spanish)
For technical assistance, training, and
information resources to support rural housing and
economic development
HUD-Rural Housing and Economic Development
Gateway
Telephone: 877.787.2526 (English and Spanish)
For funding and best practices,
see the program website.
There are more organizations related to Housing and Homelessness in the organizations section.
Last Reviewed: 3/20/2013
