Orange County Executive Steve Neuhaus and Acting Community Development Director Nicole Andersen are pleased to announce that once again applications are being accepted for the County’s Farmworker Housing Rehabilitation Program.
The Orange County Farmworker Housing Rehabilitation Program is made available through annual grants from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Applicant farmers who are owners of rental housing which is occupied by low income farmworkers (less than 80 percent of the County Median) are offered zero percent forgivable loans in order to repair and upgrade their units. Eligible work includes removal of health code and building violations, new roofs, windows, heating, plumbing, replacement of manufactured housing and other construction repairs.
The properties must be used as residences for seasonal or year-round farmworkers at rental rates that do not exceed 30 percent of the farmworkers household income. The owner must agree to make the assisted units available for this purpose for a period of 5-20 years. The County will provide a grant for a maximum of 75 percent of the total cost of the project while the owner must provide a cash match of a minimum of 25 percent of the total cost.
Individuals interested in receiving an application or seeking additional information are encouraged to contact Janet Fox at 845-615-3815 in the County’s Community Development Office or visit orangecountygov.com.
Completed applications must be received by 3 p.m. on February 4, 2019.