Rural Housing and Economic Development Program

 

The purpose of the Rural Housing and Economic Development (RHED) program is to build capacity at the State and local level for rural housing and economic development and to support innovative housing and economic development activities in rural areas.  The funds made available under this program will be awarded competitively, through a selection process conducted by HUD in consultation with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Eligible applicants include local, rural, non-profit organizations; community development corporations; federally recognized Indian tribes; State housing finance agencies; and, State economic development and/or community development agencies.

Funds are available in 2 categories, Capacity Building and Support for Innovative Housing and Economic Development activities. Capacity building involves the enhancement of existing organizations to carry out new functions and/or perform more effectively existing functions. Possible activities include hiring and training staff, purchasing software and other tools, obtaining expertise from outside sources, developing an accounting system, conducting asset inventories, developing strategic plans, and seeking technical assistance.

Support for Innovative Housing and Economic Development activities include preparation of plans, architectural drawings, acquisition of land and buildings, demolition, provision of infrastructure, purchase of materials, construction, use of local labor markets, and job training. Other possible activities include homeownership and financial counseling; application of innovative construction methods; provision of financial assistance to homeowners, businesses, and developers; and the establishment of CDFIs, lines of credit, revolving loan funds, microenterprises, and small business incubators.
 

Funding Category: 

Capacity building at the State and local level for rural housing and economic development and support for innovative housing and economic development activities in rural areas. 

Target Population:

Low-income families and individuals in rural areas. 100 percent of the beneficiaries supported by RHED funds are in one or more of the following populations: 1) Areas with very small populations in non-urban areas (2,500 population or less); 2) Seasonal farmworkers;  3) Federally recognized Indian Tribes; 4) Colonias; 5) Appalachia's Distressed Counties; or 6) the Lower Mississippi Delta Region (8 States and 235 counties/parishes).

Funding Available:

Approximately $25 million in Fiscal Year (FY) 2002 funding. 

Application Information:

HUD SuperNOFA, NOFA Information Center at 1-800-HUD-8929 

Contact:

Mr. Marty Horwath, Community Planning and Development Specialist, or Ms. Holly A. Kelly, Economic Development Program Specialist, Office of Community Planning and Development (CPD), Department of Housing and Urban Development, 451 7th Street, SW, Room 7136, Washington, DC 20410; telephone (202) 708-2035.  Persons with speech or hearing impairments may access this number via TTY by calling the toll-free Federal Information Relay Service at 1-800-877-8339.

Links To More Info:

Rural Housing and Economic Development Program NOFA
RHED Program Description

Administering Agency:

HUD

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