The U.S. Department of Agriculture is seeking applications for grants to preserve and repair housing for very-low and low-income families in rural areas. Up to 3.9-million dollars is available in Fiscal Year 2014 through USDA Rural Development’s Housing Preservation Grant program. Eligible applicants are town or county governments, public agencies, federally recognized Indian Tribes and non-profit or faith-based organizations. Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack said these grants help families with limited incomes preserve their housing and improve their living conditions. Vilsack says the program also boosts economic activity for housing contractors in rural areas who are hired to make the home upgrades and repairs. Applications are due July 28, 2014.