California gives access to housing for agricultural workers

Governor Gavin Newsom boosted efforts to make the California farmworkers have access to safe and permanent housing.

Newsom signed three bills on Tuesday, AB 2240, AB 3035 and SB 1105proposals that would improve access to affordable housing for the state’s agricultural workers, in addition to facilitating the construction of homes and providing medical security for these workers.

The opportunity to have safe and stable housing may allow farmworker families Avoid disruptions caused by seasonal movementwhich helps children stay enrolled in the same schools and maintain their academic progress.

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With the signing of the first two bills, California boosts Newsom’s efforts to Protect and support farm workers across the statecoupled with the signing of SB 1105, a proposal that allows agricultural workers to use accrued paid sick leave during heat, flooding, or smoke conditions due to a local or state emergency.

AB 2240, introduced by Assemblyman Joaquin Arambula (D-Fresno)helps create more stable housing for migrant farmworkers by maximizing the Department of Housing and Community Development’s (HCD) Joe Serna Jr. Farmworker Housing Grant Program (Serna Program).

AB 2240 would authorize HCD to prioritize residents currently occupying Office for Migrant Workers (OMS) seasonal housing for move to permanent and stable housing through the Serna Program.

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In addition, the bill creates opportunity for construction of affordable housing for agricultural employees by Identify and prioritize the use of surplus state-owned lands near the OMS centers for housing farm workers.

The proposal requires the HCD Assess the feasibility of converting WHO temporary housing into permanent year-round housingthereby ensuring a strategic approach to meeting long-term housing needs.

Meanwhile, Assembly Bill 3035, by Assemblywoman Gail Pellerin (D-Santa Clara)reduces regulatory red tape by streamlining the approval process for farmworker housing in Santa Clarita and Santa Cruz counties, thereby accelerating development to meet the urgent demand for more housing.

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With the increase in housing units from 36 to 150 in both counties, AB 3035 will allow larger developments in areas with access to essential servicesaddressing issues of overcrowding and difficult living conditions.

Senate Bill 1105, by Senator Steve Padilla (D-Chula Vista)provides an opportunity for outdoor farmworkers to use their accrued paid sick leave when difficult conditions arise due to local or state emergencies, such as heat, smoke, or flooding.

The Joe Serna Jr. Farmworker Housing Grant Program is administered by HCD and supports the development of single-family and multi-family housing restricted for agricultural workers.

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Approximately $271.5 million dollars were granted between the years 1978 and 2018, funds that financed 138 Serna multifamily projects in HCD’s existing portfolio.

Over the past 5 years, HCD has awarded more than $300 million in funding to Serna for the development of 56 new projects for agricultural workers with around 3,577 housing units.

Additionally, in the 2023 financing round, The HCD awarded $110 million for 10 new Serna projectswhich include 618 additional housing units.

Keep reading:
· SB-831, a law protecting undocumented workers in California
· The Department of Labor announced new H-2A program rules to protect temporary agricultural workers
· California government to offer financial aid to farmworkers: Here’s what you need to know