At the Wasco County Board meeting on Tuesday, April 16th, Lesley Tamura presented an update on the current state of labor housing for seasonal ag workers, warning that if current regulatory changes are implemented, it may become unfeasible to grow fruit in the Gorge.
Over 100 local orchard operations signed a letter stating:
“Accepting some of the proposed changes to ALH rules would drastically reduce our housing capacity, and force us to displace half to two-thirds of our employees, if not close our housing outright. At a time when the cost of housing is becoming more unaffordable each year and the population of unhoused people in Oregon is at a crisis point, we should not be adding to this problem by forcing our employees onto the street with no viable alternative.”
The full letter and presentation is available for review in the Board packet.
To find the presentation:
