USDA Seeks Applications for Farm Labor Housing Loans and Grants

The USDA is now accepting pre-applications for loans and grants to develop housing for year-round and migrant or seasonal domestic farm laborers in Oregon.  Farm Labor Housing Program loans and grants may be used to build off-farm rental housing for domestic farm laborers.

USDA funding may also be used to purchase and substantially rehabilitate currently non-farm labor housing properties for conversion to farm labor housing.  Approximately $23.8 million in low-interest loans and $8.3 million in grants is available nationwide.  The maximum award amount available is $1.5 million and cannot exceed 90 percent of the project costs.  Farmers, associations of farmers, family farm corporations, associations of farmworkers and nonprofits, most state and local government entities, and federally-recognized tribes are eligible to apply.

USDA will assign additional points to pre-applications for projects based in or serving census tracts with poverty rates greater than or equal to 20 percent over the last 30 years.  Pre-applications must be received no later than 5:00 p.m. PST on August 27, 2018.

In Oregon, applications should be submitted to the USDA Rural Development state office:

USDA Rural Development
ATTN: Diana Chappell, Multi-Family Housing Specialist
1220 SW 3rd Avenue
Suite 1801
Portland, OR 97204

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