Last year, 2,368 Iowa homes were purchased through United States Department of Agriculture programs. Of those, 36 guaranteed loans were obligated for $3.9 million in 2015 in Washington County, as well as one direct loan for $71,000. This week, USDA Rural Development announced the availability of $232 million in guarantee home loan funding and more than $9 million in direct home loan funding for qualified rural Iowa households. The eligible homes must be located in a rural area or a community of less than 20,000 residents.

Direct home loans through the department include payment assistance and 33-year loan terms. The programs require no down payment to help families purchase new or existing homes, and competitive interest rates. There are income limits for the program. For more information click here.