Agency Expands the Eligible Use of Funds to Include Septic Systems to Help Rural America Build Back Better
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that it is seeking applications for grants from qualified organizations to create loans to help rural homeowners finance household water systems.
Funds are being made available under the Rural Decentralized Water Systems Grant program. Through this program, USDA awards grants to qualified nonprofit or tribal lending institutions to provide affordable loans to homeowners who need new household water systems.
USDA has expanded the use of funds to include building or repairing septic systems. Additionally, lending institutions can now use funds to provide grants to homeowners who earn less than 60 percent of area median income.
These changes are expected to greatly increase the number of households that can participate in the program, providing safe, clean water throughout rural America. Eligible applicants are required to provide 10 percent matching funds.