The Rural Development Farm Labor Housing program helps qualified non-profit applicants develop housing for year-round and migrant/seasonal housing on terms which will allow rents that are affordable to low-income farmworkers and farm processing workers.
“This is a great opportunity for a local agency to finance affordable rental housing for the families who help to put food on America’s table,” said Barry Ramsey, Rural Development Illinois Housing Program Director.
Pre-applications to construct off-farm units and related facilities, or to purchase and substantially rehabilitate off-farm labor housing properties are now being accepted and are due June 23, 2015. Additional points will be assigned to pre-applications for projects serving high poverty census tracts. Applications may be submitted electronically at http://www.rd.usda.gov/files/FLH_Preapplication_FY2015.pdf or in hard copy to USDA Rural Development, 2118 W Park Court, Suite A, Champaign, IL 61821.
Applicants must have sufficient qualifications and experience to develop and operate the project. Qualified applicants include non-profit organizations, limited partnerships with a non-profit general partner, and most state or local governmental entities.
Additional details can be found on page 15743 of the March 25, 2015 Federal Register. For more information or a copy of the Federal Register notice, contact the nearest USDA Rural Development office: Champaign – 217.352.3536 x4; Galesburg – 309.342.5138 x4; Jacksonville – 217.243.1535 x6; Marion – 618.993.5396 x4; Ottawa – 815.433.0551 x4; or Princeton – 815.875.8732 x4. The Rural Development State Office is also located in Champaign – phone 217.403.6222.
USDA Rural Development administers and manages housing, business and community infrastructure programs through a national network of state and local offices. These programs are designed to improve the economic stability of rural communities, businesses, residents, farmers and ranchers and improve the quality of life in rural America.