(a) (1) On or before December 1, 2023, the department shall commission a statewide study of farmworker housing conditions, needs, and solutions to inform a comprehensive strategy for meeting the housing needs of the state‘s farmworkers.

(2) The author of the study commissioned under paragraph (1) may subcontract with other qualified entities as necessary to obtain data described in this section.

(b) The study required by subdivision (a) shall include an analysis and recommendations on the following factors related to the supply of housing affordable and accessible to farmworkers and their families:

(1) A demographic survey and analysis of farmworker households in California, including a survey of a representative sample of farmworkers to assess the needs, barriers, and proposed solutions to the farmworker housing crisis from the perspective of impacted farmworkers.

(2) An analysis of the unmet need for housing for farmworkers, including migrant households.

(3) An analysis of existing housing conditions for farmworkers, including, but not limited to, permanent and temporary rental housing in the private market, owner-occupied housing, deed-restricted affordable rental housing, employer-provided housing, generational wealth opportunities, and state-owned migrant housing.

(4) An analysis of statewide and regional trends in housing demand among farmworkers, including the demand for each of the housing types described in paragraph (3).

(5) An analysis of best practices to increase input from farmworkers and employers on the housing needs in their specific communities.

(6) Governmental and nongovernmental barriers to the production of housing to meet the needs of farmworkers, including, but not limited to, the availability of financing, local land use controls, and the availability of suitable land.

(7) Any additional analysis, research, or surveys relevant to analyzing the need for housing for farmworkers.

(8) Recommendations to address gaps in the supply of housing for farmworkers.

(c) (1) No later than January 1, 2026, the department shall develop a comprehensive strategy to substantially improve policy, funding, and implementation of farmworker housing production in California to adequately address the size and scope of the problems identified in the study, including to inform the next update to the California Statewide Housing Plan.

(2) The department shall evaluate whether an update and revision of the comprehensive strategy developed pursuant to this section is necessary, and may, in its discretion, update and revise the comprehensive strategy in regular intervals as determined by the department.

(3) No later than January 1, 2027, the department shall submit the comprehensive strategy to the Legislature in accordance with § 9795 of the Government Code.

(Added by Stats. 2022, Ch. 638, Sec. 2. (AB 1654) Effective January 1, 2023.)