Small Agriculture: A National Agricultural Library Digital Exhibit

Facts about Phoenix Homesteads

National Agricultural Library

subsistence homesteads

Initiated by the Division of Subsistence Homesteads of the Department of the Interior, the Phoenix Homesteads project was completed by the Resettlement Administration on September 7, 1935.

In the development of this project, a number of objectives were considered. A primary purpose was to provide housing facilities for low- income families employed on full or part-time basis in the agricultural processing plants in the vicinity of the project, on large scale truck and fruit gardens and in the mines, shops and other industrial enterprises in and near Phoenix. Consideration was also given to providing supplementary income to health-seekers and war veterans retired on small pensions. In general, it was sought to provide healthful living conditions and an opportunity to increase the real income of the workers by home production of a large part of their foodstuffs. The incomes of the residents ranged between $600 and $1200, with the average income about $1000 a year.

Farm Security Administration

n.d.