USDA Rural Development announces application deadline for Farm Labor Housing Program

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development has set May 13 of this year as the deadline for submitting applications for the agency's Farm Labor Housing program which provides special loans and grants to help finance housing for farm workers.

"We can help eligible farmers or organizations with financing options for a wide range of farm labor housing needs including building, buying or even repairing current housing," said Larry Youngblut, Multiple-Family Housing Specialist for the Waverly Rural Development office.

Through the Farm Labor Housing program, USDA Rural Development can provide grants and loans as low as 1% interest to farmer-owners, family farm partnerships, family farm corporations, associations of farmers, or an organization which will own the housing and operate it on a non-profit basis.

The Farm Labor Housing Loan and Grant program assists with buying, building, and/or improving/repairing existing housing. Other eligible uses include purchasing and improving the necessary land on which housing will be located, developing and installing a water supply, sewage disposal, streets, storm water retention facilities and/or heat and light systems. Additional housing expenses such as purchasing and installing ranges, refrigerators, providing landscaping, and/or improving facilities related to the building such as walks, yards, fences, parking areas and driveways.

"Each year USDA Rural Development invests around $100 million in loans and grants that provide rural Iowa residents with decent, safe and sanitary single or multi-family housing," Youngblut said. "It is through housing programs such as this one that we can ensure as many rural Iowans as possible have access to adequate housing."

Contact USDA Rural Development for more information about this or other multiple-family housing programs, call Larry Youngblut in the Rural Development office in Waverly at 319-352-1715, or visit the office at 1510 Third Street S.W. in Waverly. The Waverly office provides housing services in Allamakee, Black Hawk, Bremer, Buchanan, Chickasaw, Clayton, Delaware, Fayette, Howard, and Winneshiek counties.

USDA Rural Development has 11 offices in Iowa serving 1.9 million Iowans living in rural communities. Office locations include a State Office in Des Moines, along with Area Offices in Albia, Atlantic, Humboldt, Indianola, Iowa Falls, Le Mars, Mount Pleasant, Storm Lake, Tipton and Waverly.

USDA Rural Development's mission is to deliver programs in a way that will support increasing economic opportunity and improve the quality of life of rural residents. As a venture capital entity, Rural Development provides equity and technical assistance to finance and foster growth in home ownership, business development, and critical community and technology infrastructure. Further information on rural programs is available at a local USDA Rural Development office or by visiting USDA's website at www.rurdev.usda.gov/ia.