Federal Department of Labor to Offer Michigan Migrant Labor Housing Construction Grants
LANSING, MI – August 20, 2010 – (RealEstateRama) — The Michigan Department of Agriculture’s (MDA) Environmental Stewardship Division is administering a federal migrant labor housing construction grant program on behalf of the U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL) for persons and non-profit organizations that are currently, or intend to be, licensed migrant labor housing operators. Initial grant funding decisions will be made based on applications received by August 31, 2010; however, additional grants may be awarded if funding is available.
Grants are available on a 50/50 match basis. The maximum grant available is $15,000 for construction expenditures in excess of $30,000. Allowable expenditures include living unit construction costs, utility connections, well and septic permits, in addition to well and septic installations.
To be eligible for a grant, the housing must be:
· Constructed in accordance with winter occupancy standards;
· Licensed for occupancy for three years following completion of construction;
· Provided at low cost or no cost to migrant or seasonal farm workers; and
· Available for at least 50 percent of the growing season (i.e., four to six months).
Construction must be completed no later than June 30, 2011. All properly submitted applications will be given consideration. Incomplete applications will not be considered for funding. Grant proposals will be reviewed and ranked by MDA and the Michigan Department of Energy, Labor and Economic Growth according to the following criteria:
Total capacity of living units being established with grant assistance.
Proximity to existing and emerging labor markets (commodity expansion).
Length of time workers are expected to use the housing.
Housing provider’s ability to maintain quality housing.
Individuals interested in submitting an application for funding can obtain the forms at www.michigan.gov/mda,select “Licensing,” then “Migrant Labor Housing,” and clicking on “Federal Migrant Labor Housing Construction Grants.” For more information, please contact MDA’s Environmental Stewardship Division at (517) 241-4063 or your local MDA Migrant Labor Housing Inspector.
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Contact:
Jennifer Holton 517-241-2485
