USDA Releases Funds for Rural Montanans Hit by 2022 Flooding

MISSOULA, Mont. — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has made an announcement that funds have been made available to support low-income Montanans affected by last year’s destructive flooding. These grants can be utilized for repairing their homes or even relocating them if necessary.

The eligibility for these grants extends to homes situated in areas officially recognized as disaster zones. This funding applies to residents who fall below a certain income threshold, living in designated regions of seven Montana counties: Carbon, Flathead, Park, Stillwater, Sweet Grass, Treasure, and Yellowstone. These funds will be accessible for applicants until they have been completely exhausted.

Today, Kathleen Williams, the State Director for USDA Rural Development in Montana, unveiled the news of these grants becoming available to aid low-income Montanans repair their homes that were ravaged by the 2022 flooding.

The homes that are eligible must be located in areas that were declared disaster zones by the President. Low-income residents from seven specific counties in Montana – Carbon, Flathead, Park, Stillwater, Sweet Grass, Treasure, and Yellowstone – are qualified to apply for this funding.

Kathleen Williams highlighted the community spirit of Montanans, saying, “In the face of adversity such as last year’s flooding, the people of Montana have shown their resilience and compassion, helping their neighbors to recover and rebuild. USDA Rural Development in Montana is honored to be part of this special Montana community and to contribute necessary resources to rebuild lives, homes, and communities, particularly for those who are financially vulnerable.”

The repair grants are part of a broader initiative, namely the $55.7 million USDA supplemental disaster funding under the Rural Disaster Home Repair Grant Program. This program allows eligible homeowners to apply for grants reaching up to $40,675 directly from the USDA to mend their homes.

The funds are accessible until completely expended, and may be utilized for home repair costs resulting from the Presidentially declared disasters in the calendar year 2022, prepping a site for a manufactured home, or for relocating a manufactured home.

To qualify, applicants must have a household income that does not exceed the limits set based on household size and county of residence. Further, their homes must be situated in an eligible rural area, and they must be located within a region hit by a 2022 Presidentially declared disaster.

Additionally, a second announcement is in the pipeline regarding extra funding aimed at helping rural communities repair their water infrastructure and vital community facilities. More resources to aid rural communities seeking disaster assistance can be found at the official USDA Rural Development Disaster Assistance website: https://www.rd.usda.gov/page/rural-development-disaster-assistance.

For more details on the Home Repair program, interested individuals can reach out to Katina Uecker, USDA Rural Development in Montana Housing Programs Director, at [email protected].

USDA Rural Development operates through six offices in Montana – located in Billings, Bozeman, Great Falls, Helena, Kalispell, and Missoula. To find out more about the resources available for investment in rural areas in Montana, you can call (406) 585-2587 or visit www.rd.usda.gov/mt.

The Biden-Harris Administration oversees Rural Development which provides loans and grants with the aim of expanding economic opportunities, creating jobs, and enhancing the quality of life for millions of Americans in rural regions. For further information, visit www.rd.usda.gov.