USDA makes $33M available for farm labor housing
José Otero-García, Rural Development state director for Puerto Rico. (Credit: © Mauricio Pascual)
Agriculture Acting Under Secretary Doug O’Brien announced the availability of more than $33 million to provide safe and affordable housing for farm workers and their families through the Farm Labor Housing Program.
“USDA’s Farm Labor Housing Program is the only national source of construction funds available to buy, build, or improve housing for farm workers,” O’Brien said. “This important funding will help farm laborers and especially seasonal, migrant workers who play such a vital role in America’s agricultural industry, gain access to safe, affordable housing.”
Through this program, loans and grants are provided to farmers, farmers associations, family farm corporations, non-profit organizations, public agencies and farm worker associations to develop or improve multi-family housing facilities for farm workers and their families, said José Otero-García, Rural Development State Director for Puerto Rico.
Funds also can be used to build, repair or improve adjoining facilities such as playground, spaces for child care, computers rooms and community centers.
Nearly $24 million in loans, $8 million in grants and $1.5 million in rental assistance is available nationwide.
Deadline to submit an application is Sept. 2, 2014.
