News Release
ETA News Release: [February 13, 2004 ]
Contact Name: Lorette Post
Phone Number: 202-693-3984
Labor Department Awards Milwaukee Organization $855,000
For Farm Worker Housing
MILWAUKEE, Wis. -- The U.S. Department of Labor has awarded two grants totaling $855,727 to Milwaukee-based United Migrant Opportunities, Inc., to provide housing assistance to migrant and seasonal farm workers. A $590,000 grant addresses much-needed emergency and temporary housing and a second grant for $265,727 will fund a pilot project to provide permanent farm worker housing.
In April 2003, the Employment and Training Administration issued a $4.6 million solicitation for grant applications that re-focused the migrant and seasonal farm worker housing grants program from permanent to emergency and temporary housing. The shift reflected the agency's position that the grants should serve those with the greatest unmet housing needs.
An additional $3 million in discretionary funds has been provided for pilot projects that would demonstrate the potential benefits of providing permanent housing options as well.
Under the Workforce Investment Act, migrant and seasonal housing assistance is one of a number of supportive services for assisting farm workers to retain employment or to participate in training.
NOTE: A full list of farm worker housing grantees is attached.
Farm Worker Grants
Temporary and Permanent Housing
Program Year 2003
| Grantee |
Contact |
Total Amount of Grant(s) |
United Migrant Opportunities,
Inc.
Milwaukee, Wis. |
Lupe Martinez
(414) 389-6000 |
$ 855,727
|
Rural Opportunities, Inc.
Rochester, NY |
Stuart J. Mitchell
(585) 546-7180 |
812,166
|
Rural Community Asst. Corp.
*
Sacramento, Calif. |
William French
(916) 477-2854 |
635,412
|
PPEP Microbusiness &
Housing Development Corp.
Tuscon, Ariz. |
Dr. John D. Arnold
(520) 633-3553
|
856,869
|
La Cooperativa Compesina
Sacramento, Calif. |
Raul Meyreles
(916) 388-2220 |
1,567,361
|
Florida Non-Profit Housing,
Inc.
Sebring, Fla. |
Selvin McGahee
(863) 385-2519 |
1,258,348
|
Telamon Corp.
Raleigh, NC |
Richard A. Joanis
(919) 851-7611, ext. 201 |
724,779
|
Motivation Education & Training,
Inc.
New Caney, Texas |
Frank Acosta
(281) 689-5544 |
674,170
|
Wil-Low Non-Profit Housing,
Inc. **
Haynesville, Ala. |
Madeline Miller
(334) 548-2191 |
112,754
|
ORO Development Corp. **
Oklahoma City, Okla. |
Jose Angel Gomez
(405) 840-7077 |
50,000
|
Catholic Charities **
Denver, Colo. |
James H. Mauck
(303) 742-0828 |
72,086
|
Tennessee Opportunity Programs
**
Smyrna, Tenn. |
Gaila Fletcher
(615) 459-3600 |
50,000
|
* Only permanent housing
** Only temporary/emergency housing
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U.S. Labor Department releases are accessible on the Internet at http://www.dol.gov. The information in this news release will be made available in alternate format upon request (large print, Braille, audio tape or disc) from the COAST office. Please specify which news release when placing your request. Call (202) 693-7773 or TTY (202) 693-7755.
