Farm Worker Housing

One year ago a famous economist who specialized in agriculture gave a speech in Coeur d’Alene in which he railed about immigration reform and stated point blank that farmers needed laborers and it didn’t matter where the laborers came from, as long as they worked hard and did what agricultural producers asked them to do.

One of the big problems confronting farm laborers is housing and just north of Idaho Falls, in the town of Roberts, that need is being addressed as we speak. Laborers until now have been living in what are described as trailers that are worn out and in  poor condition.

 Well, just a few days ago, the city of Roberts green lighted a $2 million housing project by the federally-funded Eastern Idaho Community Action Partnership. It's EICAP's first-ever project for farm workers. Here’s EICAP spokesperson Dixie Campbell: “23 units of farm worker housing to be located in the small community of Roberts, Idaho. The housing is designated for people who perform farm work and at least a part of the year and all the income doesn’t have to come from farm work but a portion of it.”

The project should benefit area farmers and likely stabilize their workforce. It will include a playground for children, and should keep workers and their families happy in such upgraded housing.