The not-for-profit North East Community Action Corporation (NECAC) received a certificate of appreciation June 12 from USDA for its work in housing programs throughout its 12-county rural service area.The presentation was made by USDA Rural Housing Service Administrator Tony Hernandez of Washington, D.C., and Missouri State USDA Rural Development Director Janie Dunning of Columbia.The plaque read that the award “recognizes your commitment to provide decent and affordable housing to rural” Missouri residents.“With this partnership, we will be able to make the dream of homeownership a reality for many Missouri families and individuals,” the plaque reads.“This is an honor that we treasure,” said NECAC President and Chief Executive Officer Don Patrick. “We also consider it a challenge to continue doing the work we have done so successfully in the past. Our goal is to help as many families and individuals as we can to achieve homeownership.”NECAC recently announced it has been authorized to process Section 502 direct home loans for USDA Rural Development through its Housing Development Programs Department. Section 502 loans are used mostly by income-qualifying people to buy homes in rural areas.In addition, NECAC administers the Aspire Partnership homes, Healthy Homes and rent-to-own programs, home ownership classes, foreclosure education and down payment assistance. Past programs have included Self-Help Housing through USDA Rural Development.Each year, the agency puts up to 70 families on the road to a home purchase.NECAC