USDA Financing Available for Farm Labor Housing

Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry sent this bulletin at 05/06/2024 12:25 PM EDT

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USDA Rural Development

USDA Financing Available for Farm Labor Housing

USDA Rural Development is inviting applications for loans and grants to build new housing and to repair, improve or modify existing USDA-financed farm labor housing. Across programs the agency is particularly interested in applications that will advance Biden-Harris Administration priorities to: 

  • Reduce climate pollution and increase resilience to the impacts of climate change through economic support to rural communities.
  • Ensure all rural residents have equitable access to Rural Development (RD) programs and benefits from RD-funded projects; and
  • Help rural communities recover economically through more and better market opportunities and through improved infrastructure.

Funding to build NEW housing off-farm and on-farm:

On April 19, 2024, USDA Rural Development began accepting applications for financing to build new housing that will ensure year-round and seasonal domestic farmworkers have safe, modern, and affordable places to live. Nationwide, $48 million in funding is available to construct, improve, or purchase and repair housing for farmworkers across through the Off-Farm Labor Housing Program and the On-Farm Labor Housing Program.

Off-Farm Labor Housing Program: USDA is offering loans and competitive grants to nonprofits, community organizations, local governments, and federally recognized tribes for new construction of housing units for farmworkers. More information on this funding opportunity is available on page 28717 of the April 19 Federal Register. The deadline to apply is Wednesday, July 3, 2024, at 12:00 p.m. ET.

Upcoming workshop: On Tuesday, May 7 at 1:00 p.m. ET, USDA will host a workshop on grants and loans available under the Off-Farm Labor Housing Program. Funding may be used to build new multifamily housing units for domestic farmworkers, including farmworkers who are retired and/or disabled. Eligible organizations are encouraged to attend, including nonprofits, state or local governments, community organizations and federally recognized Tribes. To register, visit the registration webpage.

On-Farm Labor Housing Loans Program: USDA offers long-term, low interest loans to farmers for new construction and preservation of housing units for farmworkers. For more information about On-Farm Labor Housing Loans, visit On-Farm Labor Housing Loans | Rural Development (usda.gov). The Department will accept applications under this program on an on-going basis, until funds are exhausted.

Upcoming workshop: On Tuesday, May 14 at 1:00 p.m. ET, USDA will host a workshop regarding On-Farm Labor Housing Loans available to preserve or build new housing units for farmworkers. Farm owners, family farm partnerships, farm corporations, and associations of farmers are eligible for this funding and are encouraged to attend. To register, visit the registration webpage.

In the coming days, the Department expects to announce further details on workshops for stakeholders and potential applicants to learn more about these funding opportunities. Questions on both funding opportunities may be directed to MFH.ProgramSupport@usda.gov.

Funding to repair existing USDA-financed farm labor housing:

On March 18, 2024, USDA Rural Development invited applications for loans and grants to repair, improve, or modify existing USDA-financed multifamily housing properties for year-round and seasonal domestic farmworkers.

USDA is making the funding available under the Off-Farm Labor Housing Programs. These programs provide grants and loans of up to $40,000 per unit for farmers, nonprofits, local governments, and federally recognized Tribes to improve, repair or modify properties that have previously received financing from USDA for farmworkers.

The funding may be used to make improvements, repairs and/or modifications to address accessibility compliance and health and safety issues. For more information, see page 19400 of the March 18, 2024, Federal Register. Applications must be submitted by 12 p.m. ET on June 18, 2024.

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USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.