Farmworker housing in Soledad to receive $1.3 million; office of Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren

SOLEDAD, Calif. (KION-TV) -- U.S. Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren announced Wednesday that the Community Housing Improvement Systems and Planning Association (CHISPA) is receiving $1,320,000 from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for affordable housing for Soledad farmworkers.

According to the U.S. House of Representatives, the funds are coming from a combination of a low-cost federal loan with a grant, and CHISPA will be receiving a $1,188,000 grant with another $132,000 coming from a loan.

These funds are dedicated to making improvements to the Soledad Townhomes, which provides 30 multifamily housing units; 10 two-bedroom, 14 three-bedroom and nine four-bedroom units.

“This federal funding will importantly help improve existing housing infrastructure in the ‘Salad Bowl of America,’ where so much fresh produce is grown," said Rep. Zoe Lofgren.

The funds are coming from from the USDA’s Off-Farm Labor Housing Program to support housing development projects for migrant and seasonal domestic farm laborers.