WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Housing Service has announced the opening of its Fiscal Year 2025 funding cycle for the Section 533 Housing Preservation Grant (HPG) program. This federal initiative aims to support critical housing repairs and rehabilitation projects for low- and very-low-income individuals living in rural communities.
The HPG program provides financial assistance to qualified public agencies, federally recognized tribal entities, nonprofits, and faith-based organizations to repair single-family homes, rental properties, and cooperative housing occupied by those in financial need. The program’s objective is to extend the life of rural housing stock and improve quality of life for residents facing economic hardship.
As part of the 2025 funding opportunity, USDA Rural Development has also announced that $2.1 million in carryover funds remains available from the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023. These additional resources are earmarked specifically for homes damaged by Presidentially declared disasters in calendar year 2022.
To qualify for this disaster-related funding, proposed repairs must involve properties located within regions designated under FEMA’s 2022 Major Disaster or Fire Management Assistance declarations. The list of eligible areas is publicly maintained on the FEMA website.
Grant awards under the HPG program may not exceed $50,000 per applicant. Interested organizations must submit preapplications to the USDA Rural Development State Office in Maine by September 4, 2025, either by mail to 967 Illinois Avenue, Bangor, ME 04401, or electronically via email.
The HPG initiative exemplifies the federal government’s ongoing efforts to preserve affordable housing infrastructure in underserved areas, particularly where disaster recovery remains an ongoing challenge. By prioritizing home repair needs in these communities, the program supports efforts to stabilize rural economies and safeguard vulnerable populations.
For more information, prospective applicants can contact USDA representative Mandy Couture at 515-418-2188 or via email at mandy.couture@usda.gov.
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