Project Phases, Timeline, Funding
The Study and Action Plan will be conducted in the following five phases, which began in Fall 2021 and is anticipated to be completed by early 2025.
Project Creation (COMPLETED)
In 2020, House Farm Workers! approached the County of Ventura during the Housing Element update process with a request to conduct a Countywide Farmworker Needs Study. The County of Ventura included the study as Program HE-E in the draft 2021-2029 Housing Element. By May 2021, the project had been initiated and in October 2021, County of Ventura Board of Supervisors adopted the 2021-2029 Housing Element, which was certified in December 2021 by the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD).
December 2019 to December 2021Phase 1 – Create Advisory Council and Select a Survey Consultant (COMPLETED)
In November 2021, House Farm Workers! invited and convened an Advisory Council of over 40 representatives from agencies and stakeholders in Ventura County. In February 2022, House Farm Workers! circulated a Request for Proposal (RFP ) to find a qualified Survey Consultant team to complete Phases 2 and 3 of the project, after review by the Advisory Council (Funded by the Regional Early Action Planning (REAP) Grant). As a result, the Coordination Committee selected BAE Urban Economics (BAE), and the County’s Farmworker Resource Program (FRP), as a joint consulting team, together with Gabrielle Vignone from House Farm Workers! as Project Manager, to complete Phases 2 and 3.
November 2021 to October 2022Phase 2 - Develop Survey Methodology and Design Surveys (COMPLETED)
The consulting team (BAE, FRP, and the Project Manager) developed a survey methodology; a communications plan for surveying the County’s farmworkers and agricultural employers; and designed the farmworker and employer surveys (including translations). In addition, BAE conducted one-on-one interviews with key stakeholders. (Funded by the Local Early Action Planning (LEAP) Grant, the County of Ventura, and contributions from all ten cities)
November 2022 to April 2023Phase 3 - Survey Implementation (Completed)
The multilingual FRP staff conducted a countywide survey of farmworkers in one-on-one interviews in five languages, and BAE conducted an online survey of employers, and stakeholders. In addition, a farmworker focus group meeting was conducted to gather additional information on housing, transportation and social services (funded by Ventura County Transportation Commission (VCTC)). This phase also includes compiling all Survey results, and creating a Summary Report which will inform the activities in Phases 4 and 5. (Funded by the County of Ventura, contributions from all ten cities, VCTC, and UC Thelma Hansen Fund Grant)
April 2023 to August 2024Phase 4 - Farmworker Housing Study and Action Plan (anticipated soon)
Work with a Farmworker Housing Study Consultant team to prepare a draft Farmworker Housing Study and Action Plan for farmworkers in Ventura County, and potentially conduct a countywide event and/or series of events to discuss the draft Action Plan with all jurisdictions, stakeholders, and interested parties. (Funded by the Sustainable Communities Program – Civic Engagement, Equity and Environmental Justice (SCP CEEEJ) Grant; and the UC Thelma Hansen Fund Grant)
Fall 2024 to Late 2025 (Anticipated)Phase 5 - Community engagement in implementing the Action Plan
The goal of Phase 5 is to present and develop consensus on approaches to the final Farmworker Housing Study and Action Plan that involves all ten cities within the county, and initiate implementation of the policies and programs in the Action Plan to encourage development and improvement of farmworker housing throughout the county. (Funded partially by the SCP CEEEJ Grant from SCAG)
Fall 2025 (Anticipated)Project Funding
This collaborative Project is funded by a range of funding sources, such as the following.
- A Regional Early Action Planning (REAP) grant by the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) awarded to House Farm Workers! in Spring 2021 (Funded portion of Phase 1);
- A Local Early Action Planning (LEAP) grant by SCAG awarded to the County of Ventura in Spring 2021 (Funded portion of Phase 2);
- The County of Ventura, all ten cities within the county, the Ventura County Transportation Commission (VCTC), and local funding sources. (Provided funding for the remainder of Phases 2 and 3); and
- Phases 4 and 5 are anticipated to be funded by the County of Ventura and other jurisdictions within the county and through donations and grants from other stakeholders.
Interested in Supporting the Project?
There are various components of the Study and Action Plan which involve public / community engagement and offer opportunities for support by interested parties, either in the manner of a financial support or services / donations for the community events. For more information, please fill out the form on the Get Involved page. You can also contact Ruchita Kadakia at Ruchita.Kadakia@ventura.org or House Farm Workers! at info@housefarmworkers.com.
