June 9, 1999

USDA has made more than $25 million in loans and grants available to finance construction of more than 500 new units of rental housing for domestic farm workers. That is $10.3 million more than last year.

Applicants must submit loan applications to the USDA rural development state office by 5 p.m., July 15. New to the program is the ability to lend money to limited partnerships if they have a nonprofit general partner. Limited partnerships can use low-income housing tax credits to construct housing. The proceeds can be leveraged with USDA program funds to increase the number of units.

In the past, the program worked on a first come, first served basis. That resulted in a backlog of applications, often with new applicants waiting two to three years for funding. Officials believe the process now is improved through competition with projects serving the greatest need and creating the most units of housing per USDA dollar invested.