Income limits increase in USDA Rural Development Home Loan Program

MILFORD - The federal government says individuals will need to earn tax adjusted incomes of almost $40,000 annually to avoid being classified as “low income in Pike County. The US Department of Agriculture Rural Development has published new income guidelines for its Single Family Housing (502) Direct Program for qualified applicants to buy or build homes in rural areas. The program is designated to serve low-income and very-low income families. Pike County now has the following income guidelines, maximum eligible adjusted incomes. Rated by the number of people in the household, they are: $38,200 for one person, $43,650 for two, $49,100 for three, $54,550 for four and $58,900 for a family of five. Pike’s allowable maximum is $8,150 higher than any the next highest maxium income allowable in any of the other five northeastern counties: Lackawanna, Luzerne, Susquehanna, Wayne and Wyoming. The family of four ceiling exceeds the allowable maximum in Wayne County by $14,050. An applicant may be eligible for a 502 Direct Loan if the adjusted income does not exceed the applicable income limit. An applicant must have an acceptable credit history and adequate and dependable income sufficient to meet all obligations. The applicant must become the owner occupant of the property. For additional income and property eligibility, visit the Web site at: www.rurdev.usda.gov/rhs. Loans may be made up to 100 percent of the appraised value for the purchase of a home; and in some cases, this may include closing costs. Borrowers need less up-front cash for loans made under the program. Further, the standard term for a loan is 33 years with a 38-year loan available to those who are eligible. Loans are subsidized, and interest rates may be reduced to as low as 1 percent. USDA Rural Development serves as the lead federal agency for rural development needs by offering financial and technical assistance to individuals, businesses and communities. USDA Rural Development programs include funding for day care centers, fire trucks and other community facility projects; the purchase, construction or repair of homes; and loans and guarantees to rural businesses to save or create jobs. For more information on the programs offered by USDA Rural Development, contact the Wyoming Local Office at 570-836-4157, ext. 4 or visit the Web site at www.rurdev.usda.gov/pa.