On March 9, 2022, USDA issued the following Stakeholder Annoucement entitled, USDA Seeks Applications to Improve, Repair or Modify Off-Farm Labor Housing Properties:

WASHINGTON, March 9, 2022 – USDA Rural Development Under Secretary Xochitl Torres Small today announced the Department is seeking applications to improve or repair off-farm labor housing. These improvements will ensure farmworkers continue to have equitable access to safe, affordable places to live.

Subject to the availability of funds, USDA will provide the loans and grants through the Farm Labor Housing Program. Eligible recipients are broad-based nonprofit organizations, nonprofit organizations of farmworkers, federally recognized Indian tribes, community organizations, and agencies or political subdivisions of State or local governments that currently own a Section 514 Off-Farm Labor Housing property. The funds may be used to improve, repair or modify off-farm labor housing properties.

USDA is offering priority points to projects that advance key priorities under the Biden-Harris Administration to help communities recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, advance equity and combat climate change. These extra points will increase the likelihood of funding for projects seeking to address these critical challenges in rural America.

The deadline for preapplications is April 25, 2022, 12:00 p.m., EST. Final applications must be submitted by Aug. 29, 2022, 12:00 p.m., EST.

For additional information, including instructions on how to apply, see page 13374 of the March 9, 2022, Federal Register.

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