Forum to be held in Salinas regarding farm worker housing

Living in the so-called salad bowl of the world requires several workers to make sure the crops that go into that salad get harvested, but with the population rising and housing prices doing the same, where do all these workers live?

It is indeed tricky as affordable housing is a problem all over the Central Coast, but a new study has found most farm workers live in harsh conditions just to make a living.

Over the last 18 months, the City of Salinas conducted a study of farm worker living conditions, finding that a majority live with two-to-three times the amount of other individuals than their unit is made for. And with many of those workers getting married and having children, the study also found approximately 49,000 additional units of affordable housing would be required just to address the overcrowding problem.
With these and other findings, a regional forum will be held tomorrow to discuss and produce an action plan.

“Ultimately I think we all have the same goal, no matter if we’re a farm worker or a farm owner, non-profit organization or local jurisdiction, we all have the same goal which is to build more affordable farm worker housing,” said Salinas Director of Community Development, Megan Hunter.

Tomorrow’s forum is being put on by the City of Salinas, Monterey County, and several other cities and organizations on the Central Coast. They’re asking those who want to help with this problem to attend to hear the rest of the study results and give any input or recommendations they can.

The forum will be held tomorrow at CSUMB at Salinas Center right by the Steinbeck Center and will run from 8AM until 4:30.