POMEROY — Applications are currently being accepted from rural residents in 18 counties of southeastern Ohio, including Meigs and Gallia, to repair their homes in rural Ohio.

Loan and grant funds have been received and are now available, according to a release from the USDA Rural Development Area Office in Marietta.

The release states that qualified very low-income rural residents can obtain home repair loans of up to $20,000. Loans can be used to remove health or safety hazards as well as to modernize the home. The interest rate is 1 percent with terms up to 20 years. Loans cannot be approved to make repairs to homes in such poor condition that they will continue to be a health or safety hazard even after repairs.

Grant funds can be used by rural residents who are at least 62 years old and cannot show repayment ability for a repair loan. These grant funds are limited and can only be used to remove safety or health hazards, including installation/replacement of septic and water systems, weatherization, accessibility repairs for the disabled and structural repairs. Loan funds can be used for these items as well as general modernization of the home.

It was noted that applicants must own and occupy the home and their income must not exceed income guidelines established for their county and household size. This program is intended to help people who lack the personal resources to make the repairs themselves and cannot find assistance elsewhere.

The USDA Rural Development Office in Marietta handles all Rural Development programs in Southeastern Ohio. Further information is available by calling (740) 373-7113, visiting the USDA Area Office or by viewing the website at www.rurdev.usda.gov.

The stated mission of the agency is to increase economic opportunity and improve the quality of life in Rural America.