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**[Farm Labor Housing]{.underline}**

*Farm workers, who perform some of the most exhausting, backbreaking
labor in the United States, are also among the lowest paid workers.
Their lives are made even more difficult by a lack of resources most
Americans take for granted.*

*Housing conditions for farm laborers lag far behind those for other
Americans. In some cases, they live in houses that are little better
than shacks.*

*However, help for improving farm worker living conditions is available.
The United States Department of Agriculture\'s (USDA) Rural Development
mission area offers programs to help public and nonprofit organizations
build farm labor housing.*

*USDA Rural Development serves as the only national source of
construction funds for dedicated farm labor housing through its Farm
Labor Housing loan and grant programs (often referred to as the Section
514 and 516 programs). These programs provide assistance to build
housing for both migrant and year-round laborers.*

**Off-Farm Housing for Farm workers**

USDA low-cost mortgage loans and grants are available to State or local
governments and nonprofit organizations to build, buy, improve, or
repair rental housing for farm laborers and to provide amenities such as
dining facilities, community or recreation rooms, child care centers,
and laundry rooms. Funds may also be used to: buy building sites;
purchase basic durable household furnishings; and develop water, sewage
disposal, heating, and lighting systems.

Limited partnerships in which the general partner is a nonprofit entity
may also obtain loans under this program. Such partnerships are eligible
for low income housing tax credits, which may be used in conjunction
with USDA\'s Farm Labor Housing program.

Farm labor housing financed by Rural Development must be modest in size
and cot but adequate to meet the farm laborer\'s family needs.

Typically, the housing looks like conventional apartment complexes.
However, dormitory-type structures are also eligible for funding, if
necessary. Off-farm housing is open to eligible farm workers from any
farming operation, both migrant and year-round, and their families.

Rural Development encourages locating off farm housing close to
important facilities such as child care and health care services. Loan
and grant funds can also be used to build on-site facilities, such as
childcare or recreational facilities. In all cases, housing must be
built in locations free from environmental hazards.

USDA typically provides a rental assistance subsidy to tenants, making
the rent affordable for them. No discrimination because of race, color,
religion, age, sex, disability, family status, or national origin is
permitted among potential occupants.

**On-Farm Housing for Farm Workers**

USDA Rural Development offices can also provide 1-percent loans to
growers who wish to build on-farm housing. The on-farm housing is
available only to farm workers who work for the farmer or rancher
borrowing the funds.

Most of the housing built by individual growers has been single-family
homes, although dormitory-style housing has been funded by Rural
Development. In most cases, rent cannot be charged, although some
exceptions can be made for high-volume-occupancy structures. The term of
the loans is 33 years, and the homes must remain in the program during
that period. Several restrictions apply if a farm operator wishes to pay
off this type of loan early.

Applications for Off Farm Housing will be accepted when announced in the
Federal Register. On farm housing applications should be made at the
USDA Rural Development Office serving the area in which the housing is
to be located.

**We\'re Here to Help**

Wherever your rural community is located, there is USDA Rural
Development offices that can help you build your farm labor housing or
other facility. Rural Development officials can explain how to apply for
assistance and provide valuable advice on project planning.

Further information on our programs for farm laborers is available from
the USDA Rural Development state or district office serving your area.

U.S. Department of Agriculture

Rural Development - Rural Housing Programs

(Revised December 2007)

National Office Web Site: http://www.rurdev.usda.gov

South Dakota Web Site: http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/sd/

South Dakota State Office Telephone Number: (605) 352-1100

South Dakota State Office Facsimile Number : (605) 352-1146

South Dakota State Office TDD Number : (605) 352-1147

E-Mail Address: tammi.schone@sd.usda.gov

*The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in
all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national
origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status,
familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic
information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or part of an
individual\'s income is derived from any public assistance program. (Not
all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities
who require alternative means for communication of program information
(braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA's TARGET
Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of
discrimination, write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400
Independence Avenue, S.W. Washington, D.C. 20250-9410, or call (800)
795-3272 (voice), or (202) 720-6382 (TDD). "USDA is an equal opportunity
provider, employer, and lender." (RHS-15)*