Board of Supervisors Releases Comprehensive Farmworker Housing Needs & Impacts Assessment

NAPA COUNTY - Napa County's Farmworker Housing Needs & Impacts Assessment Report was presented to the Board of Supervisors at its regular meeting on July 23, 2024. The recently completed report addresses the critical housing challenges faced by farmworkers and the significant impact these issues have on the Napa Valley wine industry.

The report provides a detailed analysis from two essential perspectives: the unique barriers to accessing safe, affordable housing and services experienced by farmworkers in Napa County, and the related economic impacts these housing issues have on industry employers and business owners. By examining both viewpoints, the report paints a clear picture of how farmworker housing challenges affect the entire agricultural industry in Napa County.

The report highlights an increasing shortage in the local farm labor sector, primarily driven by a lack of affordable housing for Napa Valley's farmworkers. These shortages pose significant challenges to Napa's renowned wine industry. Hidden within these housing challenges are farmworker families and individuals who make unhealthy trade-offs to afford rent and face unique barriers to accessing housing. Understanding and responding to the magnitude of these challenges and their potential impact on Napa Valley's wine industry is imperative.

Napa Valley has a long history of public-private partnerships supporting farmworker housing needs. In 2002, the Napa County Board of Supervisors created County Service No. 4 (CSA 4) to fund farmworker housing programs, providing essential lodging for single male farmworkers. However, as the workforce has evolved, with more women and families with children, additional support is needed.

Key Data:

1. The farmworker workforce is approximately 9,000 strong, peaking at 11,000 during harvest season, and dropping to 4,800 in winter months.
2. Farmworkers constitute just 5% of the total workforce in Napa County but are vital to 99% of the gross agricultural production of the Napa Valley.
3. Although Napa Valley wines account for less than 0.4% of global wine production and 4% of California's production, they contribute over 25% of California's total wine revenues. The Napa Valley wine industry and related businesses generate an annual economic impact of more than $9.4 billion locally and nearly $34 billion across the United States.

Key Findings:

Single Males vs. Families: Contrary to common perceptions, the majority of farmworkers in Napa are working parents, many living with children under 18.

• Year-round vs. Seasonal Workers: The farmworker workforce includes those who work year-round (40%) and those who work seasonally and return annually (60%). Seasonal farmworkers work in Napa for an average of 9-10 months per year, similar to teachers. The average work tenure for farmworkers living in Napa is 13-19 years, compared to 5-10 years for those living outside Napa.
• Unhealthy Trade-offs and Unique Barriers: Farmworkers face significant housing challenges, including long commutes, overcrowded households, and family separation. Barriers include language access and the complexity and expense of finding housing each season.
• Impact on Employers & Industry: Employers require a reliable local pool of skilled farmworkers to sustain operations. Without a large local workforce, there is concern about shifting to mechanization, which, although efficient, is not preferred by many vintners who value the hand-labor necessary for certain wine production processes.

"The findings in this report are a call to action," said Joelle Gallagher, Chair of the Board of Supervisors. "Prioritizing the housing requirements of our farmworkers is not just our social responsibility but also essential to maintaining the economic vitality of our wine industry. By partnering to provide affordable housing solutions, we are supporting our workforce, their families, and the agriculture sector."

"To safeguard the economic vitality of the Napa Valley wine industry, residents, business owners, and policymakers must invest in housing for farmworkers," said Jennifer Palmer, Director of Housing & Homelessness. "Addressing these housing challenges is crucial to ensuring the future success of Napa Valley's agriculture and wine industries."

For more information about the Farmworker Housing Needs & Impacts Assessment Report and to access the full report, visit 2024 Napa County Farmworker Housing Needs and Impacts Assessment (countyofnapa.org).

Public link

Please use the above public link if you want to share this noodl on another website.