Off-Farm Labor Housing Direct Loans and Grants

Jonathan Bell
MFHprocessing1@usda.gov
254.742.5647

For regional contacts, choose the Contact tab of the program website.

The Off-Farm Labor Housing program provides low interest loans and need-based grants to develop affordable housing for year-round, migrant, seasonal, retired, and/or disabled domestic farm laborers.

The primary use of the funds includes construction, improvement, repair, and purchase of housing for domestic farm laborers. In some cases, funds may also be used for operating and rental assistance, and other related activities, such as buying and improving land, purchasing household furnishings, and paying loan interest.

For this funding cycle, awards will not be made for new construction projects.

Eligible applicants include:

• Broad-based nonprofit organizations
• Nonprofit organization of farmworkers
• Community organizations
• State and local governments
• Federally recognized tribes

Award ceiling: $40,000 per unit (total loan and grant)
Estimated total program funding:

• Loans - $10,000,000
• Grants - $18,000,000

Grant funds may be awarded based on need and may not exceed 90% of project cost.

Loans have a 33 year payback period at a 1% fixed rate.

Application instructions are available in the Federal Register and on the program website.

Applicants are encouraged to request a concept meeting by emailing MFHprocessing1@usda.gov by April 15, 2024. Meetings must be scheduled between April 1 and April 29.

Repair applications must be submitted by June 18, 2024.

New Construction applications must be submitted by July 3, 2024.

Applicant webinar presentation