Dane County committee awards consulting contract to study farmworker housing needs

The Dane County Health and Human Needs Committee on June 30 recommended approval of a contract with Nina Collective to conduct a study focused on farmworker housing in Dane County.

Deputy Director Iayu Kumre told the committee the study will attempt to quantify how many people need housing, identify barriers to accessing and maintaining housing, and outline program interventions and potential zoning changes that could support development of farmworker housing.

Kumre characterized the effort as a spotlight on a vulnerable population and said the contract was issued after staff capacity and funding alignments made it possible; supervisors noted that recent funding expansions and administrative work had allowed the department to release the request for proposals. Supervisor Friess moved approval of the resolution awarding the contract; with no objections, the committee approved the motion unanimously.

The study’s scope as described in committee remarks includes estimating need, assessing barriers, and recommending program or zoning changes. Commitments or funding to implement study recommendations were not discussed during the meeting; staff did not say the county had committed construction funds or identified implementation partners within the session.