WASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the award of $6.5 million in National Farmworker Jobs Program Housing Services Grants to help seven organizations in eight states ensure migrant and seasonal farmworkers and their dependents have proper housing solutions.

While seasonal and migrant farmworkers are essential to the nation's agriculture industry, many live in poverty and face substandard living conditions, overcrowding and lack basic amenities. The NFJP Housing Services Grants will enable seven recipients to develop and use creative solutions to offer farmworkers and their families access to affordable, safe and sanitary housing.

Administered by the department's Employment and Training Administration, the NFJP Housing Services Grants announced today will support delivery of permanent and temporary housing services in eight states with at least 70 percent of funding for permanent housing.

NFJP Housing Services Grants are authorized by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act. The grants aim to facilitate the delivery of housing solutions that respond to the immediate and near-term needs of eligible migrant and seasonal farmworkers and their dependents.

Learn more about the department's National Farmworker Jobs Program.

Recipients of National Farmworker Jobs Program Housing Services grants are as follows: