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Board forms ad hoc to explore housing options for farmworkers and special-needs populations
Summary
Supervisors authorized creation of an ad hoc subcommittee to study short- and long-term housing strategies for farmworkers and other special housing-needs groups and appointed Supervisors Barajas and Frerichs to the panel.
The Yolo County Board of Supervisors voted May 20 to create an ad hoc subcommittee to evaluate housing options for special needs populations, with a particular focus on farmworkers. The board appointed Supervisors Oscar Barajas and Don Frerichs to lead the subcommittee.
Department of Community Services staff said the issue emerged from a January 28 County presentation on farmworker health and well-being, which identified affordable and nearby housing as a top priority for protective health outcomes. Staff presented a draft scope and a housing “matrix” that lists short-term actions (for example zoning and permitting changes and outreach), medium-term strategies (partnerships and targeted programs) and longer-term options (such as an agricultural-district overlay or general-plan changes for Cape May Valley).
Staff and supervisors discussed the staffing implications. Department staff said the work is likely to be staff-intensive if the subcommittee moves into detailed policy proposals; the report flagged the potential value of a limited-term senior planner to coordinate cross-agency work, outreach and zoning analysis but recommended deferring any final decision on new staffing until the subcommittee’s scope is clarified and the new department director is engaged.
Supervisor Barajas argued the work should proceed on three parallel fronts: (1) close identified policy, training and procedure gaps; (2) evaluate governance models and partner roles for any new housing efforts; and (3) support near-term fundraising and community outreach for capital projects that could follow. Supervisor Frerichs and others emphasized prioritizing a short list of implementable steps to generate early wins while keeping expectations realistic about the county’s limited general fund resources.
The board approved the creation of the ad hoc and directed staff to convene initial meetings to set goals and priorities and to return with recommended next steps and any request for interim staffing. Supervisor Oscar Barajas moved the item; Supervisor Don Frerichs seconded. The motion passed by voice vote.
Why this matters Farmworker housing intersects planning, public health, land use and regional economic stability. Creating a focused, time-bound subcommittee gives staff and supervisors a practical forum for targeted zoning changes, partnership building (including with the Yolo Housing Authority and nonprofit partners) and a council for community outreach to identify quick steps that can be implemented while longer-term policy work continues.
