BECKLEY, W.Va. – October 7, 2009 – (RealEstateRama) — U.S. Rep. Nick Rahall (W.Va.) announced today that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development agency has approved $175,600 in housing preservation funds for Greenbrier, Fayette, McDowell and Wyoming Counties.
“Fixing up a neighbor’s house is not an investment in four walls, it’s an investment in all of us,” said Rahall. “The home improvements our local organizations manage pay so many dividends to southern West Virginia; it is truly changing communities one family’s home at a time. Good housing provides security and a sense of pride for West Virginians.”
The USDA Rural Development grant funding was awarded to housing organizations within each of the four counties. Southern Appalachian Rural Alliance, Inc. (SARA) will receive a $75,000 grant to rehabilitate low-income housing throughout Greenbrier County; the Southern Appalachian Labor School (SALS) was awarded $30,600 to rehabilitate low income housing in coal camps throughout Fayette County; and the SAFE Housing and Economic Development, Inc. (SHED) was awarded $70,000 to rehabilitate housing in McDowell and Wyoming Counties.
“We do want to thank the Congressman for his support of the housing program,” said John David, Executive Director of SALS. “This particular grant will assist in rehabilitating a number of coal camp houses that are in need of being brought up to code to provide decent affordable housing for deserving West Virginia families.”
“We’re just thrilled to work with Rural Development again and are really excited about being able to repair more homes to help low income families in Greenbrier County,” said Susan Rosshirt, Executive Director of SARA. “Last time we received this grant, Congressman Rahall was here to take part in the award ceremony and it was really great to have him here. We really appreciate what he has done for us and what he continues to do.”
“We have received this grant for five years and it has played a vital role in housing rehabilitation in McDowell and Wyoming counties,” explained Sharon Walden, Executive Director of SHED. “Congressman Rahall has always been supportive of our work in McDowell County and I can’t say enough what an important role both Congressman Rahall and USDA Rural Development have played in repairing and building housing in southern West Virginia.”
“It is just remarkable to see a house transformed into a home,” said Rahall. “I commend the outstanding work being done by so many dedicated workers and agencies throughout southern West Virginia.”
