U.S. Rep. Nick Rahall (D-WV) announced today the award of three Housing Preservation grants totaling $165,016 by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)'s Rural Development Program to help repair and rehabilitate housing in communities across southern West Virginia.

"All Americans deserve the opportunity to find a safe and stable place to call home and raise their families," said Rahall. "These grants will help some of West Virginia's hardest working families by providing funds that are needed to repair and rehabilitate housing."

An $82,508 grant was awarded to the Safe Housing & Economic Development, Inc., (SHED) for the repair and improvement of low-income housing in McDowell, Mercer, and Wyoming counties. SHED is a nonprofit organization that constructs and rehabilitates homes to sell to individuals and low-income families. In addition to USDA's funds, outside sources are providing $200,000 in matching funds to SHED for a total project cost of $282,508.

A $10,508 grant has been awarded to the Greenbrier County Housing Authority (GCHA) for the repair and rehabilitation of low-income housing in Greenbrier, Monroe, and Pocahontas counties. According to the USDA, the GCHA will use the funding for a repair program for low-income rental units. The GCHA provides assistance to low-income homeowners. The agency also offers home repair self-help classes. In addition to USDA's funds, the GCHA is providing $15,839 and outside sources are providing $120,000 in matching funds for a total project cost of $146,347.

A $72,000 grant has been awarded to the Southern Appalachian Labor School (SALS) for the repair and rehabilitation of low-income housing owned and occupied by rural mine workers living in coal camps throughout southern West Virginia. SALS is currently working on a "coalfield housing initiative" to rehabilitate typical turn-of-the-20th-century coal-camp dwellings that often have poor plumbing, no insulation, and no foundations. In addition to USDA's funds, SALS is providing $21,600 and outside sources are providing $194,440 in matching funds for a total project cost of $288,040.

"Home ownership and housing maintenance are increasingly difficult for low-income Americans living in rural areas afford," said Rahall. "I am pleased these funds will help many West Virginians have better, safer places to live."

The USDA's Housing Preservation Grant program provides funding to public agencies and nonprofit organizations for use in targeted housing repair or rehabilitation programs.