The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development is committed to the American dream of homeownership. The agency’s housing programs offer low-interest financing to eligible rural families to buy or repair a home through low-interest loans, avoiding large down payments. The agency also offers loans and grants to repair, improve, modernize or make a home accessible.
“Our goal is to assist rural residents in buying safe, affordable housing in rural Wisconsin,” said Rural Development State Director Andrew C. Iverson. “We are working hard to improve the economy and quality of life for people in rural Wisconsin.”
Individuals looking to purchase a home in rural Wisconsin can visit the USDA Income and Property Eligibility website to check on property eligibility and income requirements.
USDA housing repair loans and grants
The USDA Rural Development Home Repair Program can help provide a critical lifeline for homeowners through low-interest loans and grants to modernize homes and remove health and safety hazards. In fiscal year 2025, this USDA program invested $570,013 in loans and grants for rural Wisconsin homeowners.
In the town of Boyceville in northwestern Wisconsin, homeowner David Jacott has greater peace of mind, knowing his home is better protected against ice and water damage this winter. Thanks to new gutters and properly sloped concrete, water is now directed safely away from his home — preventing foundation issues and dangerous ice buildup.
“You can’t beat the terms of the loans and grants,” said Jacott. “This program is great for folks on a fixed income that want to stay in their home.”
With interest rates at 1% and a 20-year repayment plan, the home repair program helps keep repairs affordable for very low-income families in rural areas.
Applicants must meet several criteria to apply for the home repair program. The applicant must:
Be the homeowner and occupy the house.
Be unable to obtain affordable credit elsewhere.
Have a household income that does not exceed the very low limit by county.
For grants, be age 62 or older.
“USDA Rural Development is committed to improving housing in rural Wisconsin,” said Iverson. “These investments have assisted with home repairs and improved or modernized homes in rural Wisconsin. Affordable, stable housing is the foundation that helps rural communities stay healthy and prosperous. In turn, these communities contribute to a thriving, healthy rural Wisconsin that we can all be proud of for generations to come.”
My RD loan portal
This January, USDA Rural Development released My RD Loan Portal, an online portal for rural development housing customers to manage their home loan. The portal features payment scheduling, loan details, personal information, property tax and insurance, and year-end tax information. More than 17,000 rural development home loan borrowers have registered to use My RD Loan Portal.
USDA Rural Development Wisconsin contact information
The Wisconsin Rural Development team is looking forward to helping more people reach their home goals. The team welcomes inquiries, ideas and information about partnership opportunities.
Wisconsin State Office Single Family Housing Programs
Phone: 920-266-4679
Email: wi-rd-sfh-so@usda.gov
Website: www.rd.usda.gov/wi
Single Family Housing Direct Loan Program
Phone: 715-345-7611
Email: SFHApplication@usda.gov
Single Family Housing Home Purchase and Repair Program
Phone: 715-345-7611
Email: sfhapplication@usda.gov
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender.
