CLINTON ADMINISTRATION HELPS FARM WORKERS AFFECTED BY FREEZE

                                              Release No. 0091.97

                                     Laura Trivers (202) 720-4623
                                     Dan Campbell  (202) 720-6483

CLINTON ADMINISTRATION HELPS FARM WORKERS AFFECTED BY FREEZE   

     WASHINGTON, March 20, 1997--U.S. Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman
announced today that farm laborers facing unemployment following a freeze in
southern Florida could be eligible for USDA assistance.  

     Many low-income migrant and seasonal farm workers live in apartment
complexes owned by nonprofit borrowers and financed by USDA.  Many of these
workers have seen their wages decline as a result of severe winter weather
damaging crops.

     USDA is allowing owners of these apartment complexes more flexibility
in setting rent subsidies for farm workers affected by the freeze. This
increased assistance will help farm laborers meet their rent payments. The
assistance will vary depending on the need of the farm worker. 

     "We have a proud 60-year history of providing safe, affordable housing
in rural areas and this is especially critical when disaster strikes,"
Glickman said.  "We have taken steps to help farm workers in Florida and are
pursuing every avenue where USDA can assist farm workers nationally during
times of disaster."

     This action also allows nonprofit borrowers who own and manage farm
labor housing projects financed by USDA Rural Development to use project
reserve funds to cover expenses for overtime or temporary employment to
process rent-subsidy requests.  Borrowers who manage farm laborer apartments
without RHS rental subsidies can use project reserve funds to cover
temporary shortfalls from the reduced rent payments.

     The Homestead Housing Authority in Dade County, where much of the crop
damage occurred, has also been authorized to offer temporary rent subsidies
for existing farm laborer apartments that it manages.  

     USDA's Food and Consumer Service also assisted farm workers by
providing commodity foods to local agencies through the ongoing soup
kitchens and food banks program, and the Emergency Food Assistance Program. 

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