Grants from USDA to Aid in Repairing Storm-Damaged Homes in West Central Minnesota
ST. PAUL — In light of the severe storms, flooding, and tornadoes that took a heavy toll on properties across several west central Minnesota counties in 2022, there is now a ray of hope for homeowners affected by these disasters. They may qualify for grants intended to aid with the repair of homes damaged by these severe weather conditions.
Colleen Landkamer, the Minnesota State Director of the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development, recently made a public announcement about the availability of these grants. This move forms part of the government’s efforts to help communities recover from the devastating impacts of natural disasters.
The grants are being made available through the Rural Disaster Home Repair Grant Program, an initiative offering supplemental disaster funding. Homeowners can apply to receive grants of up to $40,675 directly from USDA to help cover the costs of repairing their homes.
The funds will remain available until they are fully utilized. Their usage is not restricted to repairs alone; they can also be applied towards preparing a site for a manufactured home or relocating an existing one.
In terms of eligibility for the grants, there are a few criteria to meet:
- Applicants must have household incomes that do not exceed the lower limits set relative to their household size and county of residence.
- Homes must be situated within an eligible rural area.
- Homes must be located within areas that were officially declared disaster zones in 2022.
Homeowners can visit www.fema.gov to verify whether their residences fall within a qualified area.
The potential scope of this funding is fairly extensive. Residents in the following counties are among those who may be eligible for the grants: Big Stone, Chippewa, Kandiyohi, Lac qui Parle, Pope, Redwood, Renville, Stearns, Swift, and Yellow Medicine. This financial assistance represents a significant step towards restoring normalcy in these communities following the turmoil of last year’s weather disasters.
