Brief description of products or services:

USDA Rural Development's Section 504 Loan Program helps homeowners remove health and safety hazards and improve and modernize their homes. Uses of the loan include updating an inefficient heating system or purchasing a new central heating system, replacing or adding insulation, and replacing broken or drafty doors and windows, which can help Mainers save money and stay warm. As heating costs continue to rise, many people are looking for cost-effective ways to stay warm. The 504 Loan is an affordable solution, with interest rates at one percent with terms up to 20 years for qualified homeowners. (Example, qualified persons could borrow $5,000, resulting in a payment of approximately $23 per month.)