Off-Farm Labor Housing Direct Loans & Grants

What does this program do?
It provides affordable financing to develop housing for year-round and migrant or seasonal domestic farm laborers. (1)

Who may apply for this program?
This program assists qualified applicants that cannot obtain commercial credit on terms that will allow them to charge rents that are affordable to low-income tenants. Borrowers must have sufficient qualifications and experience to develop and operate the project. Qualified applicants include:

• Broad-based nonprofit organizations*
• Nonprofit organization of farmworkers*
• Federally recognized Indian Tribes*
• Community organizations*
• States or local governments*
• Limited partnerships with a nonprofit general partner. Must meet 7 CFR3560.55(d) requirements. 

*Eligible to apply for grants and loans

What is an eligible area?
Housing may be constructed in urban or rural areas, as long as there is a demonstrated need.

How may funds be used?
Construction, improvement, repair and purchase of housing for domestic farm laborers is the primary objective of this program.

Funding may also be available for related activities including:

• Buying and improve land
• Purchasing household furnishings
• Paying construction loan interest
• For a complete list see 7 CFR 3560.53.

Who may live in the rental housing?

• Domestic farm laborers, including those working on fish and oyster farms and on-farm processing (1)
• Retired and/or disabled farm laborers
• Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident or those legally admitted to this country and authorized to perform agricultural work
• Very-low- to moderate-income households (2)

What kinds of funding are available?

• Low interest loans
• Grants based on need and may not exceed 90% of project cost

What are the loan terms?

• Up to 33 year payback period
• 1% fixed rate
• An allocation of loan funds is also available for on-farm labor housing and is funded on a first-come, first-served basis

How do we get started?
A two-phase application process starts with pre-applications accepted on an annual basis through a Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) in the Federal Register. Selected pre-applications are invited to submit final applications

Who can answer questions?
Locate your regional contact on the Contact tab or you can find Rural Rental Properties

What governs this program?

• Off-Farm: 7 CFR 3560-Subpart L
• On-Farm: 7 CFR 3560 Subpart M
• Title V of the Housing Act of 1949

NOTE: Because citations and other information may be subject to change please always consult the program instructions listed in the section above titled "What Law Governs this Program?".

(1) Domestic farm laborer: A person who receives a portion of his/her income from farm labor employment. This definition may include the immediate family members residing with such a person.

(2) Very-low to moderate-income: Very-low income is below 50% of area median income; low-income is 50-80% of area median income; moderate income is capped at $5,500 above low-income limit.