USDA Makes Grants Available to Help People in Rural Minnesota Repair Their Homes Damaged By Severe Weather in 2022

ST. PAUL, Minn., March 27, 2023 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Minnesota State Director Colleen Landkamer today announced the availability of grants to help people repair their homes that were damaged by severe storms, flooding and tornadoes in 2022.

“When an unexpected crisis impacts our lives, it reminds us of our connection to our communities and to the places we call home,” Landkamer said. “That’s why USDA stands ready to help thousands of people across rural Minnesota access the resources they need to rebuild their homes, their communities and their lives. We do this work because we know that rural America is home to millions of people who make up America’s spirit and character.”

The grants are being made available through supplemental disaster funding under theRural Disaster Home Repair Grant Program. Through this program, people may apply to receive grants of up to $40,675 directly from USDA to repair their homes.

Funds will be available until expended. They may be used to:

• pay for home repair expenses that were a result of a Presidentally declared disasters in calendar year 2022.
• prepare a site for a manufactured home.
• relocate a manufactured home.

To be eligible:

• applicants must have household incomes that do not exceed the low-limits based on their household size and county.  
• homes must be located in an eligible rural area.
• homes must be located in a Presidentially declared disaster areas 2022.

Homes must be located in presidentially declared disaster areas. Residents in the following counties may be eligible for the funding:

Aitkin, Beltrami, Big Stone, Cass, Chippewa, Clearwater, Cook, Cottonwood, Crow Wing, Douglas, Grant, Itasca, Kanabec, Kandiyohi, Kittson, Koochiching, Lac qui Parle, Lake, Lake of the Woods, Lincoln, Lyon, Mahnomen, Marshall, Morrison, Nobles, Norman, Pennington, Pine, Polk, Pope, Red Lake, Redwood, Renville, Rock, Roseau, St. Louis, Stearns, Stevens, Swift, Todd, Traverse, Wadena, Wilkin, and Yellow Medicine.

For more information on how to apply, contact your local Rural Development area office.

Background

The Biden-Harris Administration championed the bill known as the Consolidated Appropriations Act 2023, that made this funding possible.

In the coming weeks and months, USDA expects to announce additional funding availability under the bill to help rural people in presidentially declared disaster areas who were impacted by natural disasters in 2022.

This additional funding will assist eligible organizations help rural people repair and improve their homes. It will also help rural communities repair water infrastructure and essential community facilities.

Additional resources to support rural communities seeking disaster assistance are available at https://www.rd.usda.gov/page/rural-development-disaster-assistance. 

Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities, create jobs and improve the quality of life for millions of Americans in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community facilities such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural, Tribal and high-poverty areas. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov/mn.

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