(Washington, D.C., October 9, 2026) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development announced the obligation of $28 million in fiscal year 2026 funds through the Single Family Housing Mutual Self-Help Housing Technical Assistance Grants program. As part of this effort, USDA redirected $7 million from underperforming Mutual Self-Help oversight contracts to direct grant awards. The funding enabled Section 523 grantee organizations to provide technical assistance and oversight, supporting the construction of 155 new homes through the Section 502 Direct Loan Program.

“Under the leadership of President Trump and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, USDA Rural Development delivered more than $28 million in Mutual Self-Help Technical Assistance Grants, supporting the development of 579 new housing units and the rehabilitation of 181 homes,” said Rural Housing Service Administrator George Kelly.

USDA Rural Development administers this funding through the Single Family Housing Mutual Self-Help Housing Technical Assistance Grant program. This program provides grants to qualified organizations to help them carry out local self-help housing construction projects. Grant recipients supervise groups of very low and low-income individuals and families as they construct or rehabilitate their own homes in rural areas.

For more information on USDA Rural Development investments in rural America, visit the Rural Data Gateway. The Rural Data Gateway is an online tool that strengthens USDA Rural Development partnerships with rural people, entrepreneurs, government officials and Congress by making Rural Development’s investment data accessible to the public.

For more information about USDA Rural Development programs, visit www.rd.usda.gov.