On Sept. 14, a statewide emergency declaration was issued for Maine due to Hurricane Lee. The storm was downgraded to a post-tropical cyclone, but still caused damage across Maine.

A Major Disaster Declaration has not yet been made for the storm. When a declaration is approved for all, or some, of Maine’s 16 counties, U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development Single Family Housing Repair Loans and Grants will be available to assist, according to a news release from the Maine Rural Development State Office in Bangor.

Low-income homeowners with questions should continue to reach out to Rural Development offices. Staff can answer initial questions to help ensure eligible candidates are prepared to apply if the program becomes available for Atlantic storm Lee recovery

Major Disaster Declarations have been approved for four storms in Maine in the last year. Funding is available for low-income Mainers to repair their homes damaged in these storms in eligible rural areas.

Interested applicants should work directly with Rural Development staff and submit their applications to the Rural Development State Office. Grant recipients will need to certify there is no duplication of benefits with other funding or awards.

For more information on how to apply, call Single Family Housing staff at 207-990-9100 ([email protected]) or visit rd.usda.gov/me.

Funds may also be used in areas subject to future natural disasters in the next two years.

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