Governor Newsom’s $16 Million Initiative Aims to Foster Farmworker Homeownership
In a significant move to address housing challenges faced by farmworkers in California, Governor Gavin Newsom has unveiled the allocation of $16 million in grants aimed at increasing homeownership opportunities. The grants will support five statewide programs that focus on building or purchasing homes for lower-income farmworkers and advancing initiatives to assist farmworkers in becoming homeowners or maintaining homeownership through mortgage assistance.
Recognizing the vital contribution of farmworkers to the state’s economy and agricultural industry, Governor Newsom emphasized the importance of supporting these essential workers and their families. He stated, “Our farmworkers have our backs – now it’s time we have theirs,” highlighting the significance of providing homeownership opportunities as a means to lay a foundation for future generations and help make the California Dream a reality.
The grants, awarded through the Joe Serna, Jr. Housing Grant program by the Department of Housing and Community Development, will facilitate homeownership development projects, self-help technical assistance projects, mortgage assistance programs, and programs for acquiring manufactured housing specifically for agricultural workers.
Secretary Lourdes Castro Ramírez of the Business, Consumer Services, and Housing Agency highlighted the significance of these grants in creating stability and economic security for agricultural workers and their families. She emphasized that homeownership opportunities would strengthen ties to local communities and enable families to build generational wealth.
Gustavo Velasquez, Director of the Department of Housing and Community Development, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to expand homeownership options for farmworkers and their families. He acknowledged the crucial role farmworkers play in California’s economy and communities, underscoring the importance of providing safe, affordable, and reliable housing for these essential workers.
The grants include specific awards for various regions in California, each targeting different housing needs for farm workers. San Mateo County will receive $5 million to purchase 28 manufactured housing units, prioritizing households affected by the tragic events of the Half Moon Bay farm shooting in January. Fresno County’s award of $5 million will be utilized by the California Center for Cooperative Development to prevent lower-income farmworker displacement by assisting 30 low-income units in acquiring manufactured housing.
People’s Self-Help Housing in Santa Maria will receive $4.004 million for a homeownership development project and technical assistance for self-help housing. This initiative aims to create 49 total homes, with 16 reserved for farmworker families. Habitat for Humanity Monterey Bay, based in Watsonville, will utilize $1.2025 million to provide assistance under the First-time Homebuyer Mortgage Assistance Program and Technical Assistance for Self-Help Housing Grant, supporting families at or below 70% of area median income (AMI).
Finally, Self-Help Enterprises will work in Kern, Madera, and Merced counties to offer first-time homebuyer mortgage assistance to 10 low-income and very low-income farmworker families at or below 80% AMI.
These grants mark a significant step forward in addressing housing insecurity among farmworkers and aim to create long-term stability and prosperity for these essential members of California’s workforce. Through expanding homeownership opportunities, the state is committed to empowering farmworkers and fostering vibrant, connected communities throughout California.
