USDA Rural Development announces new housing program director in Maine

Photo / Courtesy USDA Rural Development Rhiannon Hampson, left, and Amanda Burke.

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U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development announced a new housing program director in Maine.

Amanda Burke will be based in the agency’s state office in Bangor.

With more than 20 years of experience in real estate finance and mortgage lending, Burke leads a team of 13 Rural Development housing specialists and technicians. She is tasked with advancing USDA Rural Development State Director Rhiannon Hampson’s initiatives to promote the agency’s housing programs while working to make them more accessible and efficient for rural Mainers, according to a news release.

Rural Development’s single-family housing programs aim to help families and individuals buy, build or repair affordable homes in rural Maine. Since the beginning of fiscal year 2021, Rural Development has invested $600 million in single-family housing in Maine, primarily through direct loans (mortgages obtained directly from USDA) and loan guarantees (supporting loans obtained from conventional lenders).

Rural Development programs offer flexible terms, require no down payment and can sometimes subsidize payments for buyers with low or very low incomes.

“At USDA, we believe that no matter a person’s tax bracket or ZIP code, they should have access to well-built, affordable housing,” said Hampson. “For this reason, though the markets may fluctuate from year to year, Rural Development remains steady in its commitment to helping Mainers achieve home ownership. We know how life-changing it can be for people to have that security, particularly in rural communities where there may be few rental options.”

In her new position, Burke is returning to programs she knows well, having formerly been part of the Rural Development housing staff. She brings more than a decade of experience in USDA’s guaranteed single-family housing, direct single-family housing and multifamily housing programs from her earlier tenure.

“I grew up understanding that homeownership is a cornerstone of the American dream,” says Burke. “Homeownership offers a range of economic benefits including the ability to build wealth through credit access, equity accumulation, and reduced housing costs.”

Since 1949, USDA has made financing affordable for families who would otherwise be unable to secure a home loan.