Receive a brief update and consider authorization of an ad hoc subcommittee related to housing for special housing needs populations, including local farmworkers, that would appoint Supervisors Frerichs and Barajas to serve on the subcommittee. (No general fund impact) (Lindbo/Cormier) (Est. Time: 10 min)

On January 28, 2025, the Board of Supervisors engaged in discussion with Department of Community Services staff regarding housing needs for local farmworkers, and directed staff to continue working with Supervisors Barajas (District 5) and Frerichs (District 2) (Minute Order No. 25-08). Since that time, staff have met with Supervisors Frerichs and Barajas to address long-range and short-range solutions related to affordable housing for farmworkers and their families. During these discussions, housing solutions were explored from multiple angles, including zoning, barriers, partnerships, funding, and fair housing laws. The following briefly outlines the broad topic areas identified during those discussions:

At this time, staff recommend that the Board of Supervisors create a new ad hoc subcommittee to provide structure and gain a better understanding of Board priorities for addressing special housing population needs, including deeper exploration of the topics addressed above.  As previously discussed, farmworkers are considered a special housing needs group due to their limited income and often unstable nature of their employment. Given the unique circumstances that envelop the farmworker community, staff support the idea of a more focused approach to facilitate meaningful expectations for realistic outcomes. Setting goals and priorities at the outset will direct the discussion and ensure staff assignments are feasible. Some suggested goals include:

Further exploration into the topic areas listed above have been provided in a matrix that is included as Attachment B. This suggested matrix is merely a starting point and can be modified or revised to fit Board priorities as solutions are refined. Additional topics may include: (1) exploring options in mobile home park/tiny homes housing projects (including expanding and rehabilitating existing mobile home parks) to provide affordable homeownership opportunities; (2) creating a farmworker housing-specific trust fund to focus philanthropic interest and facilitate fundraising from the public, private sector, and philanthropic sources; (3) supporting self-help homeownership housing projects; and (4) creating an incentive program for farmowners to build ancillary dwelling units and rent them to farmworkers by allowing multiple ancillary dwellings to be built on a single property in exchange for deed-restricted affordable rentals.

Developing farmworker housing is complex and expensive, and funding for deed-restricted affordable housing is in short supply, which must take into consideration all special housing needs populations. Thus, one critical question is whether to invest limited dollars and energy into more or improved farm labor/migrant housing, deed-restricted affordable housing, or more housing in general. In almost all cases, there is never a single answer or magic bullet, and that is true here. A variety of options should be pursued because the needs of farmworker households are varied and multidimensional. While farmworker housing is a local land use priority and allowed on agricultural parcels, the approval process can still be difficult under current regulations. Therefore, staff are hopeful that through focused discussions, a list of priorities will unfold as feasible solutions.

All types of housing, not just deed-restricted affordable housing, play a role in housing affordability in the County. Expanding the amount of housing available to farmworkers and the general public are highlighted in the Countywide General Plan and most recently evaluated in the Housing Element Housing Plan, adopted in 2021. As such, deed-restricted affordable housing plays a special role in the discussion of housing affordability, and is a desirable solution in many ways, especially in terms of stability and affordability. Looking through a different lens, building up opportunities for homeownership through sweat equity, mutual self-help, community land trusts, and other alternative forms of ownership can also provide many levels of benefits, including individual housing affordability, and the ability to build equity, stability and community control.

Staff recognize the work ahead to develop a practicable plan requires a commitment of resources in terms of staffing and general fund, but are mindful of the current economic conditions. Thus, the Board may opt to consider a limited-term staff position dedicated solely to assist with this effort.