Rivas: Governor signs bill providing quality, dignified housing for farmworkers

Assembly member Robert Rivas (D-Hollister) announced Tuesday that Gov. Gavin Newsom signed the Farmworker Housing Act of 2019, and he said that will provide quality, dignified housing for California farmworkers.

“This is a momentous victory for farmworkers who, together with our family farmers, work to bring the freshest produce to market and help feed the entire country,” Rivas said.

Rivas said the bill cuts through red tape to build housing on agricultural land and focuses on state financial support for farmworker housing that is permanent and family-oriented instead of a temporary guest worker program.

“History has been made and I commend Assemblyman Robert Rivas, the son of farmworkers, for working to build more housing for the people who feed us. This new law is a major victory for farmworkers and farmers – who desperately need quality housing for our workers,” civil rights activist Dolores Huerta said.

Rivas said the bill was supported by local governments that include San Benito and Santa Cruz counties, Hollister, Morgan Hill, Salinas, San Juan Bautista and Morgan Hill.

KION 2019