USDA ADMINISTRATOR COMMENDS HOUSING PROVIDERS, AGENCIES AND ADVOCATES FOR IMPROVING LIVING CONDITIONS FOR FARM WORKER FAMILIES
Portland, Ore – June 14, 2013 – (RealEstateRama) — USDA Rural Development’s Administrator for Housing and Community Facilities, Tammye Treviño, traveled to Redmond, Oregon, this week to speak to farm worker housing developers, managers, funders and advocates at the 2013 Biennial Farmworker Housing Conference.
“I commend all of the housing providers and partners here today for the significant progress we continue to make in addressing the critical need for safe, affordable rental housing and supportive services for farm workers and their families,” Treviño said.
The conference is hosted by CASA of Oregon and the Office of Rural and Farmworker Housing to help housing providers develop and maintain strong partnerships and innovative programs to improve the lives of farm workers and other low income families.
Through the Farm Labor Housing program, USDA Rural Development assists housing authorities, state and local governments, tribes, nonprofits, developers, and community- and faith-based groups working to improve living conditions, access to services, and educational opportunities within the farm worker community.
“This effort is in line with the Obama Administration’s broader efforts to advance the economic security of Americans living in rural areas,” Treviño explained. “Reliable farm worker housing supports the productivity of American agriculture while providing a solid foundation from which families can thrive and make positive contributions to their communities.”
USDA Rural Development’s Farm Labor Housing program provides loans and grants to buy, build, improve or repair housing for farm workers, including persons whose income is earned in aquaculture and food processing. In Oregon, there are 25 USDA-supported farm worker housing facilities with 887 housing units.
President Obama’s plan for rural America has brought about historic investment and resulted in stronger rural communities. Under the President’s leadership, these investments in housing, community facilities, businesses and infrastructure have empowered rural America to continue leading the way – strengthening America’s economy, small towns and rural communities. USDA’s investments in rural communities support the rural way of life that stands as the backbone of our American values. President Obama and Agriculture Secretary Vilsack are committed to a smarter use of Federal resources to foster sustainable economic prosperity and ensure the government is a strong partner for businesses, entrepreneurs and working families in rural communities.
USDA, through its Rural Development mission area, has a portfolio of programs designed to improve the economic stability of rural communities, businesses, residents, farmers and ranchers and improve the quality of life in rural America.
USDA has made a concerted effort to deliver results for the American people, even as USDA implements sequestration – the across-the-board budget reductions mandated under terms of the Budget Control Act. USDA has already undertaken historic efforts since 2009 to save more than $828 million in taxpayer funds through targeted, common-sense budget reductions. These reductions have put USDA in a better position to carry out its mission, while implementing sequester budget reductions in a fair manner that causes as little disruption as possible.
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Jill Rees (503) 414-3302
