Rural Development

The United States Government passes laws that affect us on a daily basis.  Some of these laws we never use, or even hear about.  Other laws are a part of our daily lives.  One law in particular, the Rural Development Act of 1972, has affected my family.  The Rural Development Act of 1972 states that "Congress commits itself to a sound balance between urban and rural America."  This balance between urban and rural America is "so essential to the peace, prosperity, and welfare of all our citizens that the highest priority must be given to the revitalization and development of rural areas."  In other words, the Government passed the Rural Development Act of 1972 so rural areas could be revitalized, and developed for more room for people to live.  Because of the Rural Development Act, the USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) makes specialized house loans for low-income families to build in rural areas.  While this Act doesn't affect many people, it has affected my family.

Brother-in-Law's House (USDA loaned)

My brother-in-law and his wife were able to build a house in a rural area around Logan, UT.  They built their house through a non-profit organization that helps you qualify for these specialized USDA loans.  My husband and I are also looking into several of the different USDA loans.  These loans are very specific as to where you can build.  Because these loans are only for rural areas, more rural areas are being developed by organizations like these.  This leaves less room for farm development. Both my husband and I would love to have a farm, and building one of these houses would give us land, but not enough for anything other than a small garden.  The Rural Development Act allows low-income families to build in rural areas.  However, it restricts other people from buying land saved by the Rural Development Act.  The Rural Development Act of 1972 allows people, who wouldn't otherwise get access to owning a home, to build houses in rural areas.  This is slowly starting to diminish quality farming land, but also allows low-income families to own houses in great communities.  Because my brother-in-law and his wife have build one of these homes, and my husband and I are looking into it, the Rural Development Act has greatly influenced where my family lives.

Sources:

"42 U.S.C. 3122." . GSA, n.d. Web. 19 July 2014. <http://www.gsa.gov/portal/content/101029>.

"Rural Development and Small Farm Research." . csrees.usda.gov, n.d. Web. 19 July 2014. <http://www.csrees.usda.gov/about/offices/legis/pdfs/ruraldevact.pdf>.