The U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Housing Service Administrator Bruce Lammers announced on September 10 the USDA is making $150 million in grants available through the Community Facilities Programs to help rural communities continue their recovery from the devastating effects of hurricanes, fires, and other natural disasters.
The $150 million is included in the Additional Supplemental Appropriations for Disaster Relief Act that President Donald Trump signed into law on June 6. The grants may be used for relief in areas affected by Hurricanes Michael and Florence; wildfires in 2018; and other natural disasters where the Federal Emergency Management Agency provided a notice declaring a Major Disaster Declaration and assigned a FEMA disaster recovery number.
View the list of designated communities as of September 8. Check the FEMA website for regular updates and names of additional communities that may be added.
Grant applications will be accepted at USDA state offices on a continual basis until funds are exhausted. Grant assistance will be provided on a graduated scale; smaller communities with the lowest median household income are eligible for a higher proportion of grant funds. For application details and additional information, see page 47477 of the September 10 Federal Register.
More than 100 types of projects are eligible for funding. Eligible applicants include municipalities, public bodies, nonprofit organizations, and federally recognized Native American tribes. Projects must be in eligible rural areas with a population of 20,000 or less.
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