Weston, WV – July 1 30, 2011 – (RealEstateRama) — Kristie Stutler can’t stop smiling as she talks about her new home near Jackson’s Mill. Ms. Stutler qualified for loan funds through USDA Rural Development’s rural housing programs last fall. Earlier this year, she found the perfect home for her family.
Prior to applying for funds from USDA Rural Development, Ms. Stutler was renting an apartment. While it was nice, it was located over a business and had no outdoor space for her children. Ms. Stutler learned about housing programs available from USDA Rural Development from her aunt who was familiar with another borrower’s positive experience. With assistance from her realtors, Connie and Dan Hoover at Act IV Realty, she immediately contacted the office located within the USDA Service Center at Weston. Ms. Stutler began working with Jeff Hunt and Shelly Hickman, Area Specialists for USDA Rural Development. Mr. Hunt and Ms. Hickman agreed, “Ms. Stutler worked extremely hard to meet USDA’s application criteria and she was a well qualified applicant. She knew what she was looking for and once she found it everything fell into place.”
Ms. Stutler found just what she was looking for near Jackson’s Mill. Speaking of USDA Rural Development, Ms. Stutler said, “I had a good experience. They informed me of the process and told me what I needed to do to qualify for the funding and I did it. This house is mine.” She went on to add, “I really appreciate the help that the USDA staff gave me. My kids and I love the house and we have plans to start painting some of the rooms in the house soon.” Ms. Stutler is happy that her children, Jimmy, age 14 and Melea, age 9, now have a great yard to enjoy.
USDA Rural Development West Virginia State Director Bobby Lewis said, “We are excited to be celebrating National Homeownership Month in June. For more than 60 years, USDA has worked to increase homeownership opportunities for rural Americans through our housing programs.” Mr. Lewis went on to say, “Expanding and preserving homeownership is a major part of the foundation for a stronger, more prosperous rural America.”
Rural Development serves as the lead Federal entity for rural development needs and administers program assistance through its housing, business, community and infrastructure programs. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or part of an individual’s income is derived from any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.)
Further information on USDA Rural Development may be obtained by visiting USDA’s web site at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov. In West Virginia, call 1-800-295-8228 to be put in touch with the appropriate personnel serving your county. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at 202.720.2600 (voice and TDD).
Contact:
Phone: 304.284.4860 OR 1.800.295.8228
Fax: 304.284.4893
TDD: 304.284.4836
Web: http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/wv
