Florida received more FMHA money than any other State-$14 million or 51 percent of all loans and grants made between 1961 and 1970. This resulted in 2.000 family unitsabout 50 percent of the nationwide total. Yet. housing for seasonal and migrant farmworkers in Florida remains totally inadequate. The State health department says 40 percent of 406 private farm labor camps housing 30.000 seasonal workers are unacceptable under the State code. The Florida State Office of Economic Opportunity reports 332.403 substandard houses in the State and 17 counties where substandard housing comprises 40 percent of all housing. An independent survey of 9.000 Florida migrants conducted by a University of Miami professor drew the following profile of migrant housing facilities in Florida: 5 percent had no electricity. 31 percent had no working sink. 18 percent had no screens. 41 percent had no functioning toilet. and 42 percent had no shower or tub. The study found the average migrant family had five members and lived in a threeroom unit. It is evident that the program of farm labor housing grants and loans is not working. Only $1.2 million was obligated in all of fiscal 1971. five grants totaling $736.000 and 13 loans for a total of $474.000.
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migrants migrant