County staff say farm‑labor housing loan rules updated after AAC input; fee relief under review

County planning staff and an AAC liaison reported updates to two housing‑and‑water items affecting farm labor housing.

Natalie Sehr read an email from Alejandro Segura, housing and community development specialist, describing proposed changes to the county’s farm‑labor housing loan program. The changes included raising the per‑property maximum loan amount to $150,000 for a single unit and $250,000 for multiple units per phase, and reducing the allowable loan term to a minimum of 20 years and a maximum of 30 years; the message also allowed for partial annual prepayment but constrained principal reduction to no more than 50% over time. Segura will present the finalized program guidelines at an upcoming meeting.

Ed Diaz, program supervisor for land use and water protection, returned to answer committee questions about fee extension relief for the farm labor housing water assistance program. Diaz said the county previously proposed not collecting fees through June 2027, and that county leadership is still reviewing whether additional subsidies or extensions will be authorized; no final decision had been made at the time of the meeting.

Committee members asked whether unit‑count changes would include sliding scales for small operations, and whether staff could provide more details on inspections, the draft effective date (Dec. 8 was proposed but county counsel review could push it to January), and additional funding options. Diaz and staff said the proposals remain draft and that updates will be provided as county counsel and leadership finish internal review.

The committee requested a forthcoming brief presentation from Housing and Community Development and additional follow‑up information on whether fee relief or additional subsidies will be approved.