U.S.D.A. Promotes Home Ownership Month
Rodney Williams (left) was recognized by U.S.D.A.’s Rural Development Program in honor of National Home Ownership Month in June. Williams lives in the home with his finesse, Crystal Blackmon. U.S.D.A. Area Specialist Sandra Ash (right) reported that Williams’ home was one of 17 federally backed loans made in the county in 2008. – Photo by David Howell
Mississippi State Trooper Rodney Williams moved to Water Valley last year, purchasing a brand new house on Wood Street. This June, U.S.D.A. Rural Development recognized Williams for becoming a new homeowner in conjunction with National Home Ownership Month.
Williams came to Water Valley from Clarksdale, where he was renting a home. He became a first time homeowner with the help of Rural Development’s Guaranteed Housing program, a program available for home buyers who have favorable credit, the ability to repay the loan and meet certain income guidelines.
Williams lives in the home with his fiancee, Crystal Blackmon, who is employed as a medical technologist in Oxford. The couple plans to wed next year, when Williams’ dad, who is also a Mississippi Highway Patrol trooper, finishes his deployment in Iraq.
Williams’ U.S.D.A. guaranteed loan was one of 17 loans in Yalobusha County in 2008, an amount totaling $1.4 million. Nationally there were 72,000 rural household loans, a number that is expected to substantially increase in 2009.
“Our mission is to increase economic opportunity and to improve the quality of life for rural residents,” reported U.S.D.A. Area Specialist Sandra Ash.
With good credit, a family of up to four could be eligible if they earn up to $73,600. A family of five to eight can earn up to $97,150. This loan program requires no down payment or mortgage insurance, and the loan can be made up to 100 percent of the property’s value.
Anyone interested in this program may contact the U.S.D.A. Rural Development at 2606 West Oxford Loop, Oxford, or call 662-234-8701, ext. 4.
Information can also be obtained from Rural Development’s website at www.rurdev.gov.
