The U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development Nebraska State Director Neil Moseman today announced that three Nebraska organizations will receive a combined $113,558 in Housing Preservation Grants to support home repairs and housing rehabilitation for very-low and low-income rural residents.

"Rural Development is excited to partner with these organizations receiving Housing Preservation Grants to assist rural Nebraska homeowners that are in need," said Moseman. "This program remains an essential federal tool for maintaining safe, affordable, rural housing within our state."

Nationwide, Rural Development is investing nearly $8 million through its Housing Preservation Grant Program to fund home repairs and housing rehabilitation for very-low- and low-income rural residents. The funds will repair an estimated 1,228 housing units across rural America.

In Nebraska, the following three organizations received Housing Preservation Grants:

• Habitat Omaha received $19,279 in grant funding that will assist one low-income homeowner to repair their home in Burt County.
• Habitat for Humanity of Columbus received $75,000 in grant funding to support Habitat for Heroes, an initiative designed specifically to honor and assist veteran homeowners who are living in aging, substandard, or unsafe housing conditions. This funding will assist up to 10 veterans living in Platte County, Nebraska.
• Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska received $19,279 in grant funding that will support its Senior Home Improvement Project program, which maintains adequate housing for senior citizen homeowners on the Winnebago Reservation. These funds will assist up to five low-income homeowners living on the reservation.

For more information on USDA Rural Development investments in rural America, visit the Rural Data Gateway . The Rural Data Gateway is an online tool that strengthens USDA Rural Development partnerships with rural people, entrepreneurs, government officials and Congress by making RD's investment data accessible to the public. For more information about USDA Rural Development programs, visit www.rd.usda.gov/ne .