TO: Napa County Housing Commission
FROM: Emma Moyer, Staff Services Manager
REPORT BY: Alex Carrasco, Project Manager
SUBJECT: Farmworker Center Standards Project
RECOMMENDATION
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Receive an update on the Farmworker Center Standards project.
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Napa County Housing Authority has developed a set of “Farmworker Center Standards”. These standards are a set of policies establishing operational and service requirements for any and all Farmworker Centers in Napa County that receive operational or loan funding from the County. A previous draft of the standards was shared with Commissioners during the April Housing Commission meeting. Subsequently an ad hoc committee was established to review and provide additional feedback to staff. That feedback has been incorporated, the resulting draft has been reviewed by Ad Hoc committee members, and the final draft is now available for the Housing Commission review.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATION: The proposed action is not a project defined by 14 California Code of Regulations 1538 (State CEQA Guidelines) and therefore CEQA is not applicable.
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION
The Napa County Housing Authority currently oversees three Farmworker Centers (“Centers”), each of which provide lodging for up to 60 lodgers nightly. The operation of the three Centers is managed under contract by a qualified community-based organization. Privately run farmworker housing sites also exist, as permitted, in the unincorporated County. Farmworker housing needs continue to be a high priority for Napa County, and additional/new publicly and privately operated farmworker centers remain a possibility.
The intent of the Farmworker Center Standards project is to establish a set of policies to which all farmworker centers receiving funding from Napa County must adhere. The policies will include ensuring safety and security of lodgers and staff, promoting the dignity and respect of lodgers and staff, establishing standards of operation for the buildings, and ensuring compliance with local, state and federal guidelines, rules and laws.
Napa County has adopted and maintains an “Emergency Shelter Standards” policy manual for all County-funded emergency shelters for individuals and families experiencing homelessness. The Farmworker Center Standards draft is complete, and available for review by the Housing Commission. At the April 2025 Housing Commission meeting and ad hoc committee was created to review and provide feedback on the draft Center Standards. Today’s meeting provides Commissioners with an update on the Ad Hoc committee review, and a final draft of the Farmworker Center Standards.