County SIPA staff presented interim results of an agricultural worker housing needs survey and described outreach plans to increase response rates.

SIPA reported an estimated 2,908 farmworkers countywide and said 439 individuals (about 15%) responded to the survey so far. Most respondents lived in Gilroy, Morgan Hill, San Martin and San Jose, and roughly 90% of respondents were Spanish speakers. Among respondents, 39% said they live in single‑family housing, 24% in homes shared by multiple families, and 15% in dormitory‑style shared living situations; 73% said they prefer single‑family housing.

Staff and commissioners emphasized that the sample is a point‑in‑time result and is not yet statistically representative. SIPA described outreach challenges — seasonal work schedules, phone access constraints and reluctance of some farm labor contractors to participate — and said staff have used paper surveys, resource fairs with partner agencies, and translated materials in English, Spanish and Chinese to improve participation. Partners at resource events included the Office of Supportive Housing, behavioral health, the U.S. Department of Labor, CARAS and United Farm Workers.

Committee members praised the outreach and asked staff to continue targeting seasonal workers, pursue follow‑up resource fairs and coordinate with the Farm Bureau and local city leaders. A motion to move items 10 and 11 forward carried on a roll call vote.