Posted November 10, 2014
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that the U.S. Department
of Agriculture (USDA) is investing $29 million to provide affordable housing
for farm laborers and their families, according to a USDA release available here.
Agri-Pulse also published an article available here
and Ag Journal Online here.
"Housing
is often the first step on the road to more economic prosperity for farmworker
families. These loans and grants will significantly improve the lives of
farmworkers, who are vital to America's agriculture sector. This program is one
of many tools that USDA has to strengthen the rural economy, which will help
bring a brighter future for children from farmworker families," said
Vilsack.
USDA is awarding $20.7 million in loans and $8.3 million in
grants for 10 projects in six states. The properties will provide 320
farmworker families with new homes, and rental assistance will be offered for
315 of the new housing units after completion, according to Agri-Pulse.
Assistance is provided to the USDA through the Farm Labor and
Housing Loan and Grant program.
I have
witnessed firsthand the way these loans and grants help farmworkers and their
communities," said
Tony Hernandez, administrator of USDA's Rural Housing Service, which runs the
Farm Labor Housing program.
USDA Rural
Development provided a $3.3 million low-interest Farm Labor Housing loan to
build Villa Hermosa, apartment-style housing for migrant workers in Indio,
California, according to Ag
Journal Online.
The $3 million
loan USDA announced will fund the second phase of construction at Villa Hermosa
by financing 68 more apartments for the remaining occupants. Phase Two will
have units equipped with heat and air conditioning, private patios,
washer/dryers, dishwashers, a community center, a garden, playgrounds, and a
computer lab.
