U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development NY State Director Brian Murray announced the availability of grants to assist people in repairing their homes damaged by severe flooding, wind, winter, and tropical storm remnants in 2022.

The homes must be located in presidentially declared disaster areas. People living in 11 counties in NY may be eligible for the funding. These counties include Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Jefferson, Lewis, Niagara, Oneida, Oswego, St. Lawrence and Wyoming counties.

“When an unexpected crisis impacts our lives, it reminds us of our connection to our communities and to the places we call home,” Murray said. “That’s why the Biden-Harris Administration and USDA stand ready to help thousands of people across rural NY 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 the Rural Disaster Home Repair Grant Program. Through this program, people may apply to receive grants of up to $40,675 directly from the 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 presidentially-declared disaster 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 and homes must be located in a presidentially declared disaster area in 2022.

For more information, visit: https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/single-family-housing-programs/single-family-housing-rural-disaster-home-repair-grants.