Fresno, California – With the difficulty of finding farm labor one federal program seeks to provide funding for housing construction including H-2A participants. Datatech has many clients using the H-2A program for their farm labor workforce and the deadline to make application August 27, 2018. This housing loan program can possibly be a good way to attract and keep temporary Ag workers.
“Now, not-for-profit entities can utilize the loan program to build or improve housing for a temporary labor force.”
Dennis Nuxoll, Western Growers Association
Farm labor housing and direct loan grants were provided for up to $31 million after a change in the law occurred earlier this year says Dennis Nuxoll, VP of Governmental Affairs at Western Growers Association, “Previously, the program had been limited to housing for permanent residents and U.S. citizens. Now, not-for-profit entities can utilize the loan program to build or improve housing for a temporary labor force, a revision in the law created by an amendment offered by U.S. Representative Dan Newhouse (WA-4) in the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2018.”
Again, the deadline for making application for these direct loans and grants is August 27, 2018. The program allows for a maximum of $3 million per applicant not to exceed 90 percent of the housing project to be constructed and at a one percent interest rate over 33 years. You can read more about this program here.
There is a two phase application process for the Farm labor housing and direct loan and grant program. The process starts with pre-applications accepted on an annual basis. Selected pre-applications are invited to submit final applications.
Nuxoll suggests interested parties contact their state office for any further questions, “We encourage interested applicants to speak with their local USDA Rural Development State Office for questions or assistance:
Arizona
J.C. Sherman III, State Director
230 North First Avenue, Suite 206
Phoenix, AZ 85003-1706
Voice: (602) 280-8701
Fax: (855) 699-8035 www.rd.usda.gov/az
California
Kim Dolbow Vann, State Director
430 G Street, # 4169
Davis, CA 95616-4169
Voice: (530) 792-5800
Fax: (530) 792-5837 www.rd.usda.gov/ca
Colorado
Sallie Clark, State Director
Denver Federal Center
Building 56, Room 2300
PO Box 25426
Denver, CO 80225-0426
Voice: (720) 544-2903
Fax: (720) 544-2981
Colorado Relay: (800) 659-3656 www.rd.usda.gov/co
New Mexico
Arthur A. Garcia, State Director
100 Sun Avenue NE, Suite 130
Albuquerque, NM 87109
Voice: (505) 761-4950
Fax: (505) 761-4976 www.rd.usda.gov/nm “
Datatech partners with many growers nationwide that take advantage of the H-2A program and we seek to keep them and others informed on programs that can benefit their agribusiness.