Craig Daily Press

Craig — How is your house holding up against this winter weather?

Need some more insulation or a new furnace to keep you warm?

How about your windows and roof?

USDA-Rural Development now has its 2008 funding for the 504 Home Repair Loan and Grant program for the residents of Moffat County. These loans can be made up to $20,000 with a repayment term to 20 years at 1 percent interest rate. Grants are available up to $7,500 for emergency repairs or winterization to homeowners older than 62 years of age.

This Loan and Grant program is available to very low income homeowners — $26,950 or less for a household of four in Moffat County — that need necessary health and safety repairs to their homes that they cannot afford otherwise.

Common repairs are window replacement, insulation, roof replacement/repair, new hot water heater/plumbing, furnace repair or replacement, handicap accessibility and some modernization.

The main goal for this program is to eliminate any health concerns or local code violations in the home so that it can be occupied safely and efficiently.

Need a home of your own?

The Rural Development 502 Direct Home Purchase program now is accepting applications.

This is a 100 percent mortgage program that can possibly include all closing costs. The program is designed to give lower income families a chance at homeownership that would not otherwise qualify for a mortgage with a traditional lender.

The interest rate for January is 5.625 percent and can be subsidize by Rural Development all the way down to 1 percent for up to 38 years.

To qualify for this program, the adjusted family income must not be more than $43,100 for a family of four in Moffat County, adjusted for household size. This loan can be used for an existing home (no HUD manufactured) or new construction, and condominiums or townhomes are acceptable.

The application process is simple, according to a press release. Although your local Rural Development office is in Craig, most everything can be done through the phone and through the mail/e-mail.

Call P.J. Howe at 824-3476 for more information.