The U.S. Department of Agriculture, through the USDA Rural Development Agency, has made over $3 million dollars available in low-interest loan funds to income-eligible applicants to purchase homes in Effingham and surrounding counties. Loans are 100 percent with no down payment required.

These loans can be used to purchase homes costing up to $163,500 in the rural areas of Effingham County as well as in the incorporated areas such as Springfield, Guyton and Rincon.

Rural Development also partners with the Department of Community Affairs to get as much as $10,000 in interest free, deferred-payment loans to assist with the purchase of a home.

The USDA Rural Development Office in Statesboro services the Effingham County area. They can be contacted at (912) 871-2620, option 4 for assistance in qualifying for a home ownership loan. You can also e-mail june.forehand@ga.usda.gov.