USDA Promise Zones

USDA, in conjunction with HUD, just added six cities, one rural community, and one Native American reservation to the Promise Zone program, which is designed to coordinate federal, state, and local resources to improve the quality of housing, commerce, and educational opportunities in at risk or high risk areas. This is the second year for the program. Last year the program was released with five cities. According to the Secretary of HUD, the idea is to bring multiple federal agencies together with local leaders to breathe new life into underserved areas. This year there were 123 applications from 36 states for the program. USDA will focus on more rural areas along with tribal lands. USDA Loans are a great fit for this program because they are designed for low- to moderate-income families. Rural areas tend to be underserved so programs like the Promise Zones are a great asset.  Homeowners who obtain a Rural Home Loan must meet the maximum income requirements enforced in their area, so these two programs work together.