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There has been a need for farmworker housing creation long before I took office, but in my first month, I saw firsthand the grave need for dignified housing options and with the County, approved an immediate distribution of $750,000 of ARPA dollars for emergency re-housing and supportive services for the displaced farm working households.
- Since then, I have advocated alongside the County’s Executive Office for the County to successfully set aside $1 million dollars for farmworker housing in County funds and, in collaboration with the City of Half Moon Bay, applied for and received the Joe Serna State Grant of $5 million to go towards the first 28 units of farmworker housing in the initial round of a larger development. Learn more about this exciting news here: https://www.gov.ca.gov/2023/06/01/governor-newsom-announces-16-million-to-support-farmworker-homeownership/
- Additionally, I have been advocating for the potential County acquisition of the nearly 50-acre Bay City Flowers site, with a vision that it would provide farmworker and workforce housing and include a co-op distribution center/farmers market (food hub) among other mixed-use opportunities, such as child and healthcare. Thanks to Assemblymember Marc Berman, we have also secured state funding that would apply should the Board of Supervisors approve the purchase when it comes before them, at which time the site would then undergo a planning process with the community. More details at: https://www.hmbreview.com/news/county-may-use-bay-city-flower-land-for-housing/article_e5155f12-313b-11ee-8d28-67a2f8202e89.html
- Our office sponsored Measure K funding for Abundant Grace for their Full Circle Food Justice, Farm Apprenticeship and Conservation Crew Programs. Through the Farm Apprenticeship and Conservation Crew programs, Abundant Grace provides hands-on apprenticeship and training programs to develop specialized and ecologically conscious farm skills, and then giving back to the community and addressing food insecurity by harvesting fresh local fruits and vegetables for free distribution to local low-income farmworker families through the Full-Circle Food Justice Program.
