Media Contact: Andrew Kauders (202) 720-4623
andrew.Kauders@usda.gov
Public Contact: La Jaycee Brown (202) 720-9741
ljbrown@rdmail.rural.usda.gov
GLICKMAN ANNOUNCES $32.4 MILLION FOR FARM LABOR HOUSING
WASHINGTON, Oct. 7, 1999 -- Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman today announced $32.4 million in loans and grants for the construction of 622 housing units for domestic farm laborers in the United States. The USDA funds will also help repair or improve 13 farm worker housing complexes.
"As we enter the new millennium, no one in the United States should be forced to live in overcrowded, substandard housing, and no one should be forced to pay 70 to 80 percent of their income on such housing," said Glickman. "Our farm workers deserve our respect and a commitment to safe, decent and affordable housing. We are grateful for their sacrifices and contributions to producing high-quality, low-cost food."
In the past, the migrant worker housing program operated on a first-come, first-served basis, which resulted in a backlog of applications. New applicants often waited two to three years for funding. The revamped process is now competitive, with today's announced projects serving the greatest need and creating the most units of housing per USDA-dollar invested.
The program can lend money to limited partnerships if they have a nonprofit general partner. Limited partnerships are able to use low-income housing tax credits to construct housing facilities, the proceeds of which can be leveraged with USDA program funds to increase the number of rental housing units.
A complete list of the loan and grant recipients can be accessed here.
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