Rural Housing: Farm Labor Housing Loans and Grants

The Farm Labor Housing Loan and Grant program provides capital financing for the development of housing for domestic farm laborers. Farm Labor Housing loans and grants are provided to buy, build, improve, or repair housing for farm laborers, including persons whose income is earned in aquaculture (fish and oyster farms) and those engaged in on-farm processing. Funds can be used to purchase a site or a leasehold interest in a site; to construct housing, day care facilities, or community rooms; to pay fees to purchase durable household furnishings; and to pay construction loan interest.

Loans are made to:

• Farmers; and
• Associations of farmers; and
• Family farm corporations; and
• Indian tribes; and
• Nonprofit organizations; and
• Public agencies; and
• Associations of farmworkers.

Typically, loan applicants are unable to obtain credit elsewhere, but in some instances, farmers able to get credit elsewhere may obtain loans at a rate of interest based on the cost of federal borrowing. Grants are made to:

• Farmworker associations; and
• Nonprofit organizations; and
• Indian tribes; and
• Public agencies.

Funds may be used in urban areas for nearby farm labor. (This is the only Rural Housing Service rural service area exception.)

Loans are for 33 years at 1 percent interest. Grants may cover up to 90 percent of development costs. The balance may be a Farm Labor Housing Program loan.