October 11, 2007

LANSING - The Michigan Department of Agriculture (MDA) announced today it will be administering a migrant labor housing construction grant program offered by the United States Department of Labor (USDOL). Persons and non-profit organizations who currently are, or intend to be, licensed migrant labor housing operators are eligible to submit an application.

Grants are available on a 50/50 match basis with a $15,000 maximum grant for construction expenditures in excess of $30,000. Allowable expenditures include: living unit construction costs, utility connections, well and septic permits, and well and septic installations. Qualifying expenditures for up to two housing units may be used as applicant matching funds and may be located on up to two separate housing sites.

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.
• Available for at least 50 percent of the growing season (for example, four to six months).

Construction projects must be completed no later than June 30, 2008. Grant proposals will be reviewed and ranked by MDA and the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Growth using 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.
• Provider’s ability to maintain quality housing.

Grant proposals must be postmarked by no later than October 31, 2007. All properly submitted applications will be given consideration. Incomplete applications will not be considered for funding. Final funding decisions are the responsibility of MDA.

Individuals interested in submitting an application for funding should complete the Federal Migrant Labor Housing Construction Grant application forms. Applications should be submitted to:

Michigan Department of Agriculture - ESD
Migrant Labor Housing Grant Proposal
P.O. Box 30017
Lansing, MI 48909

For more information, please contact MDA’s Environmental Stewardship Division at (517) 241-1174 or a local Migrant Labor Housing Inspector.