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 is initiating the development of “Farmworker Center Standards” which is a set of policies establishing standards of operation and care for all County-funded Farmworker Centers, that all County and contracted staff will be required to comply with. The Center Standards have been drafted, and an Ad Hoc committee will be developed to 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. This items creates an Ad Hoc committee to review the draft and provide feedback.