In the wake of the tragic mass shooting that killed seven farmworkers and left one injured in the coastal city of Half Moon Bay, exposing inhumane living conditions, the urgency to address the deplorable housing conditions endured by coastal agriculture workers cannot be overstated. California’s staggering housing shortage is leaving those with less economic means to fight for what little places of rest, what few homes are left. Sadly, those often left to fight for the scraps are disproportionately our most vulnerable neighbors.
In response, Ayudando Latinos a Soñar and Mercy Housing step onto the scene as beacons of hope. ALAS is an organization that has been at the forefront of advocating for the rights of essential farmworkers and their families on the coastside of San Mateo County, while Mercy Housing is a mission-driven affordable housing provider. These nationally recognized organizations have partnered on the mixed-use proposal known as 555 Kelly Ave., which would create 40 high-quality, deed-restricted homes for senior farmworkers and a new Farmworker Resource Center located in downtown Half Moon Bay on a city-owned property.
Seems like a slam dunk right? Unfortunately, not so for the Half Moon Bay Planning Commission and vocal Not In My Backyard resistance, seeming to care more about the aesthetics of the situation than the obvious morality of providing affordable housing to seniors.
These 40 affordable homes are critical lifelines that have been hindered by delays. Let’s be clear, housing is a human right and it is expensive to build housing. For those who need housing the most, housing delayed is housing denied. Navigating the complexities of local bureaucracy, patching together funding and the slow process of approvals only make it worse, underscoring the necessity of ministerially approving housing.
One of the main arguments against these 40 affordable homes is its five-story building height even though neighboring buildings include four stories. The proposed height allows for the new homes to fit on this small site and has been designed with input from hundreds of residents after three large community meetings.
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The argument that a five-story building is incompatible with the character of Half Moon Bay is already contradicted by the existing Ritz-Carlton hotel, standing at five stories tall, blocking views of the ocean without inciting the same level of opposition. Why is it OK to have a five-story building for temporary vacation goers but not for the farmworkers who actually work on the coast and are part of the community? If luxury accommodations can command such heights, why should we deny farmworkers the same privilege? They are an integral part of our community and deserve housing that reflects their value.
This is why ministerial approval and state housing laws are not just important, but necessary. When the aesthetics, contradicting arguments and the loss of common sense trump the need for housing in what is already a morally obvious situation, the need for expedited approval cannot be overstated. Housing can fail, funding can expire and people can end up unhoused. That’s what delays can cost. State housing laws incentivize developers and nonprofits to build higher and make their projects feasible so that the people who need homes, receive homes, in a timely manner.
Several farmworkers attended recent Planning Commission hearings and shared that they have endured decades of back-breaking conditions to help bring us food security while they live in substandard and unaffordable homes. It’s time we prioritize their well-being over trivial matters like building height. ALAS and Mercy are well within the bounds of the law and have the opportunity, under existing housing laws to build higher and denser to ensure project feasibility. We cannot afford to prioritize aesthetic concerns over human rights. As such, 555 Kelly Ave., deserves to be approved as proposed, and our farm workers deserve safe, affordable, service-enriched homes.
Rocio Avila is a housing organizer and farmworker based in Half Moon Bay. Alex Melendrez is the equity organizing manager for YIMBY Action.
Ooh, I wish I’d thought about the Ritz Carlton when I wrote a letter to the Plsnning Commission. As a visitor from over the hill, I talked about how the character of downtown would be improved from my point of view, knowing senior farmworkers have a decent place to live.
Sorry, folks, but you lost me when you say housing is a human right. So homeless veterans or kids or anyone else is placed to the back of the line so seasonal farmworkers can get first dibs on housing? You’d better watch out for anticipated consequences, such as the cost for housing being prohibitive enough so that farmers will mechanize their workforce. Then these farmworkers would join everyone else at the back of your preferred line... Is that the goal?
Ms. Baird, everyone also deserves to have a life free from crimes, especially murder and mayhem, secure borders, an end to child and even adult abuse, etc. Yet here we are. But closer to home, do you know of anyone who shares your mindset that also provides housing in their residences for some of the folks they’re purporting to help? If they’re not willing to take action… then do they really feel everybody deserves housing? Or is it everyone else's problem?
Because the applicant roused up so many speakers at the first two meetings who needed translation the Planning Commission did not have much time to deliberate. There was no discussion whatever by commissioners about reducing the 40 unit count. As a society we seem to be moving into an era where activists seem to think it's just fine to tell big round fibs in order to stir people up. There are other prevarications in this opinion piece. Apparently, there has been a calculation that most people won't catch them. Those who want to throw shame appear to be in need of receiving some.
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(5) comments
Ooh, I wish I’d thought about the Ritz Carlton when I wrote a letter to the Plsnning Commission. As a visitor from over the hill, I talked about how the character of downtown would be improved from my point of view, knowing senior farmworkers have a decent place to live.
Sorry, folks, but you lost me when you say housing is a human right. So homeless veterans or kids or anyone else is placed to the back of the line so seasonal farmworkers can get first dibs on housing? You’d better watch out for anticipated consequences, such as the cost for housing being prohibitive enough so that farmers will mechanize their workforce. Then these farmworkers would join everyone else at the back of your preferred line... Is that the goal?
No back of the line. Ideally there would be no line. Everybody deserves housing.
Ms. Baird, everyone also deserves to have a life free from crimes, especially murder and mayhem, secure borders, an end to child and even adult abuse, etc. Yet here we are. But closer to home, do you know of anyone who shares your mindset that also provides housing in their residences for some of the folks they’re purporting to help? If they’re not willing to take action… then do they really feel everybody deserves housing? Or is it everyone else's problem?
Because the applicant roused up so many speakers at the first two meetings who needed translation the Planning Commission did not have much time to deliberate. There was no discussion whatever by commissioners about reducing the 40 unit count. As a society we seem to be moving into an era where activists seem to think it's just fine to tell big round fibs in order to stir people up. There are other prevarications in this opinion piece. Apparently, there has been a calculation that most people won't catch them. Those who want to throw shame appear to be in need of receiving some.
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Keep the discussion civilized. Absolutely NO personal attacks or insults directed toward writers, nor others who make comments.
Keep it clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
Don't threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Anyone violating these rules will be issued a warning. After the warning, comment privileges can be revoked.