Michael Bennet, U.S. Senator for Colorado, today announced that the City of Delta's efforts to preserve and improve local affordable housing units for Colorado's seniors will get a $20,226 boost from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

The funding, which will be awarded through the USDA's Rural Development Housing Program, will be used to rehab and upgrade kitchens at a ten-unit Section 515 elderly resident property.

"Colorado's seniors deserve access to safe and affordable housing," Bennet said. "This funding will help our communities make much-needed repairs to rural housing so that they can continue to provide a secure and reliable place for our seniors to live. "

Housing preservation grants ensure that rural single and multi-family housing stocks are adequate, meet current safety standards and are accessible by individuals with disabilities. Grants are awarded to non-profit organizations, local governments and Native American tribes, who in turn provide loans, grants or loan and grant combinations to eligible applicants.

For further information on rural programs available in Colorado contact your local USDA Rural Development office or visit www.rurdev.usda.gov/co