WASHINGTON, April 20, 2023 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development New Mexico State Director Patricia Dominguez today announced the availability of grants for organizations to help people repair homes they own or rent that were damaged by forest fires in calendar year 2022. The homes must be located in eligible rural areas and presidentially declared disaster areas.  

“The Biden-Harris Administration and USDA stand ready to deploy every resource at our disposal to help families and individuals rebuild their lives and their communities,” Dominguez said. “The assistance I'm announcing today will help make sure people in rural areas across this state who have been impacted by natural disasters in calendar year 2022 have the the resources they need to rebuild their lives and their homes. This funding is critical because we know that rural America is home to millions of people who make up America’s spirit and character.”

The grants are being made available through supplemental disaster funding under the Housing Preservation Grants program. 

Organizations may apply to receive up to $50,000 to help people make repairs to their homes that were damaged by natural disasters in calendar year 2022.

Eligible organizations include state and local governments, federally recognized Indian tribes and nonprofits.

The organizations may use the funds to provide grants or low-interest loans to repair or rehabilitate housing for low- and very low-income residents. For example, funds may be used to:

• Repair or replace electrical wiring, foundations, roofs, insulation, heating systems and water/waste disposal systems.
• Support accessibility features.
• Purchase construction materials.
• Finance administrative expenses up to 20%.

Funds may be used in the following presidentially declared disaster areas of:

Colfax, Lincoln, Mora, San Miguel and Valencia counties.

Completed preapplications for grants must be submitted by paper or electronically by 4:30 p.m. local time June 5, 2023. For additional information, see page 24148 of the April 19, 2023, Federal Register.

For more information on how to apply, contact USDA Rural Development State Office at 505-761-4950 or visit https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/single-family-housing-programs/housing-preservation-grants