A recent article published by the Statesman highlights the devastating housing conditions many migrant farmworkers are facing across America, and particularly in Texas. The article, aptly titled “Unbelievable” by Jeremy Schawrtz, explains how, in spite of existing laws that require housing facilities for migrant farmworkers to be inspected and licensed to ensure minimal health and…
Category: Spotlight
Under Secretary Mensah Meets with Central Valley Family Using USDA Funds for New Water Well
While in California last week, U.S. Department of Agriculture Under Secretary Lisa Mensah toured a self-help housing tract that Self-Help Enterprises is developing in Merced County and visited with a family that is a recipient of USDA funds. Representative Jim Costa (D-CA) was also on the tour. Under Secretary Mensah and Congressman Costa met with…
Spotlight on the Intermediary Relending Program
The Intermediary Relending Program (IRP) was first enacted in the 1980s and has had remarkable success in strengthening rural communities through investment in local projects. Because loan capital is revolved several times over the course of an IRP loan to an intermediary, USDA estimates that every $100,000 in IRP loan funds leads to the creation…
Do Presidential Hopefuls Have a Plan for Rural America?
The presidential hopefuls are well underway in their respective campaigns, with a combined total of six debates over the past few month. While many candidates are focused on how they can make America stronger, there has yet to be any major discussion on what their plans are for rural America. Read more in Bob Rapoza’s…
Mutual Self-Help Housing Program Briefing and Reception
The videos that were shown are provided below. 4. Peoples’ Self-Help Housing: 5. Rural CAP Alaska: 6. Self-Help Enterprises: 7. Self-Help Homes:
Report: Reflecting on 50 Years of Success
Throughout rural America communities confront the lack of safe and affordable housing. Rural communities have less access to affordable credit options and lower incomes, which in turn leads to increased instances of persistent poverty. Additionally, many rural communities face substandard housing and lack of plumbing. Because of these issues, rural Americans are often unable to…
Spotlight on the National Farmworker Jobs Program
The National Farmworker Jobs Program (NFJP) is a Department of Labor (DOL) program administered in the United States and Puerto Rico by local organizations to provide services for migrant and seasonal farmworkers. The NFJP program, originally authorized under the 1964 Civil Rights Act, is now a part of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 and…
Spotlight on Hillary Clinton’s Rural Platform
As the 2016 Presidential Race heats up this fall, the candidates on both sides of the aisle are introducing their platforms on a variety of policy issues, from immigration, to tax reform and education. However, Hillary Clinton is the only candidate to have released a platform on a topic that directly impacts the lives and…
National Homeownership Month: Celebrating 50 Years and 50,000 Homes Built Through the Mutual Self-Help Program
June is National Homeownership Month, recognizing the important relationship between homeownership and achieving the American Dream, and encouraging people around the country to learn more about homeownership opportunities and financial management plans. In 1995, President Clinton decreed a week-long celebration in recognition of homeownership, this week long recognition was extended in 2002 when President George…
Spotlight: Edith Arreguis
Milestone on a Long Road to Success By Kathy Heinrichs Wiest Edith Arreguis can already picture herself and her son, Leixander, enjoying their new home in Goshen, California, a small unincorporated community of 3,000 in Tulare County in the San Joaquin Valley. Because options for safe, decent, and affordable housing are limited in Goshen, Edith…