Governor Newsom Signs AB 1654, Important Legislation to Address Our Ongoing Farmworker Housing Shortage, as Part of Landmark Housing Package

(Sacramento, CA) Today, Governor Gavin Newsom signed into law Assembly Bill 1654, authored by Assemblymember Robert Rivas (D-Salinas).

The signed legislation requires the Department of Housing and Community Development to conduct the first ever statewide assessment of farmworker housing needs and conditions, which will in turn inform development of a comprehensive farmworker housing strategy as well as updates to California’s Statewide Housing Plan. For a ten-year period, AB 1654 allocates $25 million or 5%, whichever is less, of all Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) funding to building farmworker housing.

Assemblymember Robert Rivas:

“As the grandson of farmworkers and growing up in farmworker housing, I am grateful to Governor Newsom for signing into law AB 1654. Together, these important measures will put California on a path to addressing our farmworker housing shortage and ensuring decent living conditions for all farmworkers. They have our back every day, rain or shine; it’s time we had theirs.”

Rob Wiener, Executive Director of California Coalition for Rural Housing:

“We heartily applaud Assemblymember Rivas for authoring this important legislation and Governor Newsom for signing it into law.  AB 1654 will increase private investment dollars to build decent and affordable housing for California’s farmworkers. The bill will also authorize a first-ever California farmworker housing study to document the housing needs of farmworkers and the communities they live and work in. Farmworkers are the backbone of our agricultural industry and labor long hours in fields and plants to put high-quality fruits and vegetables on our dinner tables.”