State Director Vernita F. Dore, Ty'Sheoma Bethea and Tammye Treviño, Administrator for Housing and Community Facilities Programs at the Dillon Middle School groundbreaking ceremony in Dillon, South Carolina.

Tammye Treviño, Administrator for Housing and Community Facilities Programs, and USDA Rural Development State Director, Vernita F. Dore participated in groundbreaking ceremonies for three different schools in Dillon County on Monday, April 18, 2011. Read more »

Somerton, Arizona, is a great example of how USDA Rural Development programs can help bolster a small rural community by touching so many aspects of not only the rural economy but the diverse and vibrant rural people who make it work. Read more »

On October 5, it was my great privilege to kick off Rural Development (RD) and the Foreign Agricultural Service’s (FAS) joint celebration of National Hispanic Heritage Month at USDA’s Jefferson Auditorium.  The theme for this month’s celebration is “Heritage, Diversity, Integrity and Honor: The Renewed Hope of America.” Read more »

By Darin Leach, USDA Iowa Public Information Coordinator and by Vicki Schurman, Nebraska Public Information Coordinator

Earlier this month USDA Rural Development housing administrator Tammye Trevino and four state directors participated in tour to celebrate national Homeownership Month. The theme of national Homeownership Month this year is “Protecting the American Dream.”

During the past year, USDA Rural Development in Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, and Iowa have combined to invest more than $1.5 billion in direct and guaranteed loans to help 9,090 families purchase homes in rural areas.

In Glenwood, Iowa, the tour started by walking through an energy-star rated home currently under construction where the builder explained some construction techniques being used to improve energy efficiency.

The tour then moved across the street and recognized the Tighe family on their recent home purchase that was assisted by a direct loan from USDA Rural Development.  The family was very appreciative of all we have done to help them achieve their homeownership dreams.

The final destination in Glenwood was a stop at a local realtor to recognize some local housing partners.

Administrator Trevino also visited Plattsmouth, Nebraska. She joined Nebraska Rural Development State Director Maxine Moul at Cass County Bank, a local lender. Jal Angelsson and Susan Ramirez and Kendra and Robert Green were the guest of honor homeowners.  The families were presented flags that were flown over the U.S. Capitol at the request of U. S. Senator Ben Nelson. Also, congratulatory letters from the Senator were read.  The partners gave testaments to the American Dream of homeownership and the importance of partnering.  After the program it was off to a tour of the homes.

First on the tour was the Jal Angelsson home.  Jal and his family were already homeowners but needed a larger house to meet the growing demands of this family of five.  With the assistance of an area real estate agent, Jal found a home and obtained a 100 percent loan through Cass County Bank, backed by the USDA Rural Development Guaranteed Loan program via American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funding.  Also on the tour was the home of Kendra and Robert Green. The Greens were tired of paying rent and wanted to provide their 18 month old daughter, with a home.  They received a low interest rate, no money down loan funded through the USDA Rural Development Single Family Housing Direct Loan program through American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funding.  “We closed on our house April 16, 2010 and couldn’t be happier,” shared Kendra Green.  “Owning a home was something we really didn’t think we would ever be able to do. USDA made our dreams a reality.”

USDA Housing Administrator Tammye Trevino (fifth from right) Homeowners, builders and USDA officials stand in front of a home in Glenwood, Iowa financed with assistance from USDA Rural Development.

USDA Rural Housing Administrator Tammye Trevino (Center) in Plattsmouth, Nebraska with homeowners Jal Angelsson and Susan Ramirez ( to Ms. Trevino’s left) and Emmelynn, Robert and Kendra Green.

Abraham Lincoln was known for being self-reliant, so it is fitting that, with support from USDA, prospective homeowners in Lincoln, Delaware are building their own homes.  USDA Under Secretary for Rural Development Dallas Tonsager, Housing Administrator Tammye Trevino, RD Delaware State Director Jack Tarburton and staff from USDA’s national and local offices joined together yesterday to swing hammers, pound nails and assist in the effort. It’s all part of National Homeownership Month. Read more »

Rural Housing Administrator Tammye Trevino kicked off Homeownership Month celebrations in Kansas during a recent Midwest homeownership tour. Her visit to our state was highlighted by a stop at the Danny and Season Brown home in Holton, followed by an award presentation to Tom Bishop, Executive Director of Homestead Affordable Housing. Read more »