Assistance offered to qualifying local renters

Money is available this year in Iowa to help low-income families and those who have experienced recent job loss make monthly rental payments, according to Tim Helmbrecht, USDA Rural Development Acting State Director in Iowa.

"Our agency's rental assistance program can help residents living in USDA Rural Development-financed apartments pay their monthly rental agreements," Helmbrecht said. "These complexes can be found in nearly 400 rural communities across the state, including Le Mars."

Typically, 30 percent of a renter's monthly adjusted income is required for rent and utilities through USDA Rural Development's assistance program. If this percentage of monthly adjusted income is less than the apartment owner requires as rental payment, USDA Rural Development will pay the difference.

USDA Rural Development-financed apartment complexes in Le Mars in Plymouth County are currently taking applications for qualify individuals and families. These Le Mars complexes are designated for either family or elderly living.

*Fieldcrest Apartments, 1122 2nd Street SE,

ph: (712) 546-8407 - Family Project

*Highland Estates, 530/550/570/590, Countryside Dr.,

ph: (712) 546-7855 - Family Project

*Regency Villa, 1040 2nd Street SE,

ph: (712) 546-8407 - Elderly Project

*Sunrise Estates LP, 524 Sunset Dr,

ph: (712) 546-7855 - Elderly Project

Additional information about available apartments can be found at www.rurdev.usda.gov/ia and click on "apartments for rent" or by calling Kim Clay or Sonya Pierce with USDA Rural Development in Le Mars at (712) 546-5149 Ext. 4.

"Apartment complexes play an important role in the sustainability of rural communities," Helmbrecht said. "They allow residents to continue to live in their home community, many times close to family and friends."

USDA Rural Development currently provides financing for nearly 550 multi-family housing projects located in 370 communities in rural Iowa.

These projects provide rural Iowans with access to more than 10,000 apartments. Rent in the apartments is based on income, and rental assistance from the government is available depending on the income of the tenant.

"The ability to provide current and prospective residents with affordable and safe multi-family housing is fundamental to a community's ability to sustain a high quality of life for its residents," Helmbrecht said.

Each year Rural Development invests around $100 million in loans and grants that provide rural residents with decent, safe and sanitary single or multi-family housing. Housing loans can be obtained directly with Rural Development or from a private financial institution.

Rural Development is an equal opportunity lender with a variety of direct and guaranteed rural credit programs involving single and multi-family housing, community facilities, water and sewer development and business and industry programs.

During the past year, Rural Development helped rural businesses create or retain nearly 10,000 jobs, aided 1,600 families in buying their own home and assisted nearly 120 communities in improving facilities and upgrading local infrastructure.

For more information about this or other housing programs available through USDA Rural Development, please call the USDA Rural Development office in Le Mars at (712) 546-5149 Ext. 4 or visit the office between 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at 1100 12th Street SW, Suite C in Le Mars.

Staff in the Le Mars office serves Cherokee, Crawford, Ida, Lyon, Monona, O'Brien, Osceola, Plymouth, Sioux and Woodbury Counties.

USDA Rural Development has 11 offices across the state to serve the 1.9 million Iowans living in rural communities. Office locations include a State Office in Des Moines, along with Area Offices in Albia, Atlantic, Humboldt, Indianola, Iowa Falls, Le Mars, Mount Pleasant, Storm Lake, Tipton and Waverly.

Further information on rural programs is available at a local USDA Rural

Development office or at www.rurdev.usda.gov/ia.