After a week of tough weather in Maine, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has some good news for rural residents. The USDA is giving two Maine nonprofits grants to help with home repairs and weatherization for people with low incomes. Penquis in Bangor and Western Maine Community Action in East Wilton each got a grant of $84,829. They will use this money to fix and weatherize homes in Franklin, Knox, Penobscot, and Piscataquis counties.
Homeownership is important for rural Mainers, but sometimes it’s hard to pay for repairs, especially for older residents. That’s why these grants are so important. Penquis and Western Maine Community Action know their communities well and will use the funds where they’re needed most, making sure more low- and very-low-income Mainers can live in safe and warm homes.
The USDA’s Housing Preservation program gives grants to organizations to repair or rehabilitate housing for low- and very-low-income rural citizens. The 2023 grant recipients in Maine will work with eligible homeowners in four counties.
Penquis, a Bangor-based nonprofit founded in 1967, will use the funds to help low- and very-low-income homeowners in Penobscot, Piscataquis, and Knox counties with necessary repairs. The focus is on repairs addressing accessibility, health, or safety issues in extremely substandard housing.
Western Maine Community Action, a nonprofit in East Wilton, will use the funds to rehabilitate eligible owner-occupied homes in Franklin County. The focus is on addressing immediate health and safety issues and energy conservation repairs for low- and very-low-income homeowners.
Jennifer Giosia, director of Housing and Energy Service for Penquis, said, “We thank USDA Rural Development for being part of keeping Maine families in their homes.”
USDA continues to invest in programs to bring federal funding and resources to underserved rural areas. The awards are part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to advancing equity, especially for those historically affected by poverty and inequality.
These grants are helping rural Maine communities, making homes safer and warmer for families in need. The Housing Preservation Program accepts applications annually, and interested organizations can contact the USDA Rural Development State Office for more information.
