WASHINGTON, July 7, 2011 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today

announced that USDA is accepting applications to participate in a

demonstration program to preserve and revitalize existing Multi-Family

Housing projects financed by Rural Development.

"A top priority of the Obama Administration is to ensure that rural

Americans have access to decent, safe and affordable housing," Vilsack

said. "Funding from this program will improve conditions of multi-family

housing complexes without increasing rent for low-income residents."

The goal of the Multi-Family Housing Revitalization Demonstration

Program is to restructure selected loans for rental and farm-labor

housing developments to guarantee the long-term quality of these rental

housing units. Among several revitalization financial tools, grants are

available to correct health and safety violations to ensure safe and

affordable housing for very-low-, low- or moderate-income residents.

Properties participating in this program will be revitalized, and the

affordable use will be extended without displacing tenants because of

increased rents. No additional agency rental assistance units will be

made available.

Applications for Multi-Family Housing revitalization loans and grants

are due August 22. For additional information, see page 39820 of the

July 7, 2011, Federal Register or go to http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2011-07-07/pdf/2011-17107.pdf.

In June, President Obama signed an Executive Order establishing the

first White House Rural Council, chaired by Secretary Vilsack. The White

House Rural Council will work throughout government to create policies

to promote economic prosperity and a high quality of life in our rural

communities.

Since taking office, President Obama's Administration has taken

significant steps to improve the lives of rural Americans and has

provided broad support for rural communities. The Obama Administration

has set goals of modernizing infrastructure by providing broadband

access to 10 million Americans, expanding educational opportunities for

students in rural areas, and providing affordable health care. In the

long term, these unparalleled rural investments will help ensure that

America's rural communities are repopulating, self-sustaining, and

thriving economically.

USDA, through its Rural Development mission area, administers and

manages housing, business and community infrastructure and facility

programs through a national network of state and local offices. Rural

Development has an existing portfolio of more than $150 billion in loans

and loan guarantees. These programs are designed to improve the

economic stability of rural communities, businesses, residents, farmers

and ranchers and improve the quality of life in rural America. Visit http://www.rurdev.usda.gov for additional information about the agency's programs or to locate the USDA Rural Development office nearest you.