Projects
Casas Capay Valley
Casas Capay Valley will provide farm worker families with secure, affordable homes and access to land.
Seeking support to purchase a 43-acre parcel in Guinda, CA!
Property* Features:
2 existing houses + detached garage
Shop, outbuildings
4 barns, recently upgraded and permitted for commercial use
Ample power and water
35+ acres farmable land
Development Plan:
Acquire property (fee title or option to nonprofit)
Lease out existing infrastructure during development period
Qualifying residents form co-op
Convert 4 commercial barns into 5-6 new homes
(Residents may be able to build sweat equity through participation)
Convey limited-equity ownership in homes to farmworkers (goal 2028)
Land remains in nonprofit community ownership (CLT)
Co-op responsible for community governance and property management
CLT responsible for monitoring, enforcement, future sales to qualifying residents
Impacts:
Permanently affordable housing for 6–8 local farmworker families: Resale restrictions protect long-term affordability.
Homes protected in perpetuity for people who work in agriculture: (Most affordable housing only remains affordable during the length of the initial mortgage.) At least one member of family must work in ag to qualify.
Agricultural workforce can build equity: Resale of homes, though limited in value, create ‘nest egg’ for homeowners.
Regeneratively-managed farmland provides for residents: Food security, farmworker-to-farmer training, supplemental income.
Resident-led governance ensures that project serves community: Entire process guided by local farmworkers.
Project will set precedent for more rural farmworker home ownership in the region: Team working closely with the county and learning from similar efforts around the state.
*For thousands of years, this land has been the home of Patwin people, including the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation today. The Patwin people have remained committed to the stewardship of this land over many centuries. It has been cherished and protected, as elders have instructed the young through generations. We are honored and grateful to be working here today on their traditional lands.
“La 59”
Landowners Paul Muller and Dru Rivers are contributing a 2-1/2-acre parcel to Casagraria for the construction of its first three homes designated for farmworker families.
Property* Features:
2.4 acre empty lot, surrounded by farmland
Access to domestic well and power
Development Plan:
Allowable duplex and an ancillary unit, for a total of 3 homes
Architect working with prospective residents to create conceptual plan
Qualifying residents form co-op, approve plans
Secure permits from county
(Residents may be able to build sweat equity through participation)
Convey limited-equity ownership in homes to farmworkers (goal 2028)
Land remains in nonprofit community ownership (CLT)
Co-op responsible for community governance and property management
CLT responsible for monitoring, enforcement, future sales to qualifying residents
Impacts:
Permanently affordable housing for 3 local farmworker families. Resale restrictions protect long-term affordability.
Inter-generational access to people who work in agriculture. At least one member of family must work in ag to qualify.
Means to build equity for agricultural workforce. Resale of homes, though limited in value, create ‘nest egg’ for homeowners.
Regeneratively-managed farmland provides for residents. Food security, farmworker-to-farmer training, supplemental income.
Resident-led governance ensures that project serves community. Entire process guided by local farmworkers.
Precedent and legal model for more rural farmworker home ownership in the region. Team working closely with the county and learning from similar efforts around the state.
*For thousands of years, this land has been the home of Patwin people, including the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation today. The Patwin people have remained committed to the stewardship of this land over many centuries. It has been cherished and protected, as elders have instructed the young through generations. We are honored and grateful to be working here today on their traditional lands.