GLICKMAN ANNOUNCES RENEWED COMMITMENT TO U.S. FARM WORKERS
FLORIDA CITY, Fla., April 15, 1998 -- Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman today announced the ground breaking of the second phase of a large farm worker housing complex utilizing more than $17 million in USDA grants and loans, including natural disaster assistance, to provide safe, affordable housing to farm workers and their families in the Homestead area.
"Maintaining a healthy and stable farm labor force is critically important to American agriculture," Glickman said. "And today's announcement is a symbol of this Administration's renewed commitment to building a better future for U.S. farm workers and their families."
The $17.7 million in funds will be used to construct Phase II of the Everglades Villages housing complex and community center, including 196 new housing units, a neighborhood service center--including a credit union, grocery store, and social services offices--and a permanent home for a child care center currently occupying portable structures. Funding also will provide rental assistance to low-income residents of the new units.
"Whether it's building decent, affordable housing, providing their kids with a safe, nurturing child care environment, or teaching farm safety and the proper use of agricultural chemicals, USDA has long recognized that ensuring the well-being of farm workers ultimately strengthens the agricultural economy," said Glickman.
Glickman pointed out that the Administration's fiscal year 1999 budget proposes an increase of $20 million for USDA's farm labor housing program, an 80 percent increase that would allow construction of more than 850 additional housing units. A proposed increase of $49 million for USDA's community facilities program would allow USDA to place an even greater emphasis on providing child care facilities in under served communities, including farm workers.
USDA's Farm Labor Housing program provides affordable and safe housing for American farm workers, who are among the most poorly housed populations in the United States. These grant and loan programs finance affordable rental housing for farm workers and are the only national source for farm labor housing construction funds.
USDA's Community Facilities program provides direct loans, loan guarantees, and grants to distressed rural communities needing to finance essential public structures and services. The program finances community child care centers, health care facilities, fire and rescue equipment, and elder care facilities, among others. USDA has partnered with the Department of Health and Human Services to fund several primary care clinics targeted toward migrant farm workers.
Contacts:
Roger Salazar, (202) 720-4623
Eileen Fitzgerald, (202) 690-1533