Photo by Dylan Gonzales | Fresno Housing developed the La Joya Commons affordable housing complex in Firebaugh, adding 68 units in the space where 34 units of dilapidated farm labor housing stood.

As the state of California and the Central Valley continue to struggle with increasing housing costs, new developments are helping provide stability for Central Valley farmworkers and low-income families; however, officials say more investment is needed to reach the goals.

Housing continues to be an issue for farmworking families that help power the ag economy.

“For an affordable housing developer like Self-Help Enterprises, I think the biggest challenge continues to be competing for scarce resources at the state level,” said Tom Collishaw, president and CEO of Self-Help Enterprises. “Some of those resources are frankly tilted toward more urban environments, so we’re constantly competing.”

Vets and farmworkers

In March, the Visalia-based nonprofit opened Guardian Village in Reedley, a $25 million, 48-unit affordable housing development made for low-income families, agricultural workers and veterans.

Fifteen of the units were specifically reserved for farmworker households.

“It derives from the historic use of this property that served the veterans in the Reedley area for many years, making it a place that honors both service and sacrifice,” Collishaw said in March.

The project was funded through public and private sources. The California Department of General Services donated the property under a 99-year lease for $1, while the state’s Department of Housing and Community Development provided $6 million in grants. UnitedHealth Group invested $14.4 million in equity and contributes $100,000 yearly for on-site services.

Rep. Jim Costa (D–Fresno) praised the ability to make farmworker housing in a rural community like Reedley a possibility.

“Today marks a major milestone for our farmworker community and their families,” Costa said at the ribbon-cutting ceremony in March. “Our farmworkers and farmers are the backbone of the Central Valley and our nation. Increasing the production of affordable housing must remain a priority for those who put food on Americans’ dinner plates.”

Cherry Crossing

In July, Self-Help opened Cherry Crossing in Sanger, a $50 million, 72-unit complex with 18 units reserved for farmworker families. The project received funding from the state’s Joe Serna Jr. Farmworker Housing Grant Program, Fresno County’s ARPA and HOME funds, and a $22 million equity investment from U.S. Bank.

The Joe Serna Jr. Farmworker Housing Grant Program was created in the 1980s and funds affordable housing projects and homeownership opportunities for low-income agricultural workers and families.

Despite progress, the need for farmworker housing remains urgent.

“In Fresno County alone, we are currently over 35,000 affordable homes short of our housing needs,” Collishaw said. “During such a crisis — the worst I’ve seen in my 45-year career in housing — there are only two categories: those who are helping and those who are not.”

La Joya Commons

Fresno Housing is also expanding the stock of farmworker housing. In July, it opened La Joya Commons, a 68-unit affordable housing apartment complex, in Firebaugh.

“This was once dilapidated farm labor housing that was built well over 50 years ago,” said Michael Duarte, chief real estate officer for Fresno Housing. “In this particular footprint stood 34 units. We demolished those and have built 68 beautiful units in our phase one, and we have a phase two plan that we’re actively pursuing.”

Of the 68 units, 41 are reserved for households with income from agricultural-related work. Ground was broken on the project in October 2023.

The project received funding from multiple sources, including the California Department of Housing and Community Development’s Joe Serna Farmworker Housing Grant Program, California Tax Credit Allocation Committee, U.S. Bank and the California Community Reinvestment Corporation.

U.S. Bank invested $65 million in the project.

Fearful climate

Collishaw also noted that fear of immigration enforcement continues to affect farmworker communities across the Valley.

“In our smaller farmworker communities, there is real fear about immigration enforcement activities,” he said. “People are staying away from public places, sometimes keeping their kids out of school. That’s affected our operations because people are fearful — with reason — seeing what’s happened in some other communities.”