Farmworker housing bill passes Senate Housing Committee

A bill to streamline the development of farmworker housing has passed the California State Senate Housing Committee.

AB 1783, also known as the Farmworker Housing Act of 2019, was introduced by Assemblymember Robert Rivas.

It passed with a vote of 7 to 3 and will now head to the Senate Governance and Finance Committee.

“This is a humanitarian crisis, and I believe we have a moral responsibility to act,” explained

Assemblymember Robert Rivas.

Rivas grew up in farmworker housing himself and said he hopes Ag companies will use this opt-in tool.

Rivas said the bill would make it easier for farmers and non-profit organizations to build dignified, family-friendly housing for farmworkers and their families on agricultural land.

“The United Farm Workers applauds Assembly Member Robert Rivas and Senator Scott Wiener on their leadership of including the needs of farm workers in state housing policy,” said Teresa Romero, President of the United Farm Workers. “AB 1783 will incentivize the construction of affordable family housing for farm workers while banning the use of state funds to advance the Trump Administration’s backwards immigration policies.”

“The 2018 Farmworker Study & Action Plan for the Salinas Valley and Pajaro Valley confirmed that agricultural workers are living in severe overcrowded conditions,” explained Alfred Diaz-Infante, President of Community Housing Improvement Systems and Planning Association Inc. (CHISPA). “CHISPA appreciates that Assembly Member Robert Rivas is taking steps that will help affordable housing developers build affordable housing for agricultural workers in a more expedited manner. This is something that is really needed in our region given that the current housing crisis has had a greater impact on low-income farmworkers and their families.”

To watch our special report on the Farmworker Housing Act of 2019 click here.