Jackson advocate. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1939-current, 1950-02-04
Farm Housing
Needs Told At
Tuskegee Farm
Leaders Meet
By HERBERT HENEGAN

lens facing Negro farmers in
qualifying for loans under the farm
housing program of the Depart
ment of Agriculture were discuss
ed openly and frankly Jan. II at
the two-day conference to study
Programs and Detectives of State
and Federal agencies concerned
with Agricultural Development in
the South. The entire Tuesday
morning session was given over to
the work of the Farmers Home
administration, the agency auth
orized by the Secretary Of Agricul-
ture to have charge of the rural
housing program.
Principal speaker was Raub Sny-
der, deputy administrator of Farm
ers Home administration, Wash
Iington, d. c., who reviewed brief
~ the various programs operated
by the agency. He said that the
Farmers Home administration had
been put in charge of farm hous-
ing because "our agency, perhaps,
has been more sensitive to the
needs of low-income farm families
over the past decade than anyone
else"
Mr.. Snyder pointed out that the
need for better homes for farm
people was as great if not greater
than that of urban people. With the
passage by Congress of Public Law
III on July Is, last, now on the
books as the Housing Act of 1949,
this legislation is designed to help
provide a decent home for every
American family and a suitable en-
vironment in which to rear a
'amily. Loans and grants are au-
horized by this act for construc-
Jon, remodeling or repair of re-
pair of farm buildings and dwell
ings.
Loans for periods up TO SO years
at four per cent interest will be
made to owners who are otherwise
unable to finance needed housing
and other building improvements
for themselves and their tenants.
Mr. Snyder pointed out that the
construction carried out under the
Act will stimulate trade and the
industries in rural areas
thereby Strengthening the local
economy because local builders will
benefit.
SOUTH TO BENEFIT MOST
He said, eve expect the great
est amount of activity in the south
ern states since this is the area in
greatest need of better farm hous-
ing. We have always maintained a
policy of on-discrimination and
you probably know that Farmers
Home is working now with some
$4,000 Negro families. Over the
past Is years we have helped tens
of thousands more"
"This fiscal year." Mr.. Snyder
continued, "twenty-seven million
dollars are available for the hous-
ing program. In all, S275 million
have been made available during
the four-year period as authorized
by the Congress"
The important point to remem-
Der, it was pointed out, is that
only owners are eligible for the
loans. Veterans have preference.
However, they must be unable to
get a loan elsewhere or lack the
necessary capital to make needed
improvements. They must be able
to repay the loan from farm and
other income. Tenants or farm
laborers are not eligible but an
owner may borrow money to build
or repair houses and other build
ings for his tenants.
oSlOIc a lOdu Cctn NC CCICl1I6u,
the Farmers Home administration,
charged with the responsibility to
the act, must first re-
view the applicants assets, charac-
ter, and his ability to repay the
loan. This determination is made
by the three-man county committee
usually made up of farmers.
Also complete inventory of the
farm will be made by an appraiser
engineer to determine both the
market value of the farm and it's
location value If the farm cannot
meet the minimum standards in
both categories it will be difficult
to qualify for loan.
In some cases grants will be
made for minor repairs to protect
the health and safety of the family
and the commodity. This work
m