Ventura County Farmworker Housing Study and Action Plan House Farm Workers! received a $50,000 grant awarded by the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) to support a comprehensive Countywide Farmworker Housing Study that proactively and comprehensively addresses farmworker housing in Ventura County. The study seeks to give a voice to the County’s estimated 36,000 farmworkers, shining a light specifically on local housing needs for this vulnerable yet essential population. The last time a farmworker housing study was completed was nearly 20 years ago in 2002. The Countywide Farmworker Housing Study will seek to better understand where our farmworker community lives, what percentage are permanent full-time workers, how many are here alone or with their families, and other critical questions to help inform future advocacy efforts, policies, and targeted programs that address critical farmworker housing needs, while also supporting agricultural businesses with a stable and healthy workforce. The County of Ventura is a project partner in the study and has also made a grant commitment as well as working side by side with House Farm Workers! and consultants to develop it. The Countywide Farmworker Housing Study, funding for the Housing Trust Fund Ventura County, and seeking a permanent source of dedicated funding for affordable housing, were all included in the recently adopted 2021-2029 Housing Element, a component of the County’s General Plan. The County’s support of this study demonstrates its commitment to understanding more about this essential population living and working within our communities. Our project partner, the County of Ventura, is maintaining a project page that includes the phases, funding, and ways to get involved with the Ventura County Farmworker Housing Study and Action Plan: https://vcrma.org/vc-farmworker-housing-study Request for Proposals (RFP) On February 8, 2022, a Request for Proposals (RFP) was circulated by House Farm Workers! to find a qualified consulting firm to conduct phases 2 and 3 of the Farmworker Housing Study and Action Plan. Phases 2 and 3 include the creation and implementation of a survey to gather data on current farmworker housing conditions and to generate a summary report for incorporation into the final Study and Action Plan. Proposals were due by March 15, 2022, at 4:00 p.m and can no longer be submitted. Phase 4 of the project will include an RFP for the creation of the Farmworker Housing Study and Action based on the Survey results. That RFP will be posted on this page once available (anticipated, Spring 2023). Please check back for details. Farmworker Housing Study Advisory Council (FHSAC) In the fall of 2021, HFW! formed the FHSAC with over 40 diverse community members from agencies and stakeholders in Ventura County FHSAC Scope of Work- Provide input for Survey Consultant RFP Review and comment on RFP Review and evaluate proposals by potential Survey Consultants Review survey drafts prepared by Consultant Review proposed survey methodology and communications plan Provide input for Study Consultant RFP Review and evaluate proposals by potential Study Consultants Review draft Study The Farmworker Housing Study Coordinating Committee is in charge of coordinating the FHSAC meetings, providing meeting materials, and facilitating the council meetings. The members are as follows: Dave Ward, AICP, Director of Planning , County of Ventura Debbie Jackson, Brokaw – Jackson Consulting Ellen Brokaw, House Farm Workers! Treasurer, Chair of the Board, Brokaw Ranch Company Gabrielle Vignone, House Farm Workers! Executive Director Jennifer Coile, House Farm Workers! Strategic Advisor John Novi, AICP, Senior Planner,County of Ventura Ruchita Kadakia, LEEP AP, Planning Manager, Housing and State Mandates, County of Ventura To subscribe to a project email list for updates, and for more information, please visit our project partner’s site at: https://vcrma.org/vc-farmworker-housing-study Please view our current Press Release here: https://housefarmworkers.org/blog/