Voice of the Mid-Columbia | Kennewick, Pasco and Richland, Wash. |
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closeWednesday, Jun. 17, 2009
Franklin County farmworker housing facility gets state funding
Ingrid Stegemoeller, Herald staff writer
A proposed housing facility for seasonal farmworkers southwest of Basin City has received funding from the state, according to the state Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development.
The 96-bed development received $3.25 million to cover development costs, said Lisa Vatske, managing director for Community, Trade and Economic Development's Housing Trust Fund.
More than $62 million was awarded to 35 multi-family affordable housing projects through the recent round of funding from the Housing Trust Fund, according to the department website.
The Franklin County Farm Bureau bought 10 acres just north of Road 170 and Ringold Road intersection for the facility to serve seasonal workers such as those who come for cherry harvest. In the past, many of those workers have camped on state land at Ringold, where they've had conflicts with anglers and problems with waste disposal.
Some neighbors of the project have voiced concerns about how the facility would change the area, including more traffic, higher labor costs for other farming operations and increased crime rates.
They're also worried the facility eventually could turn into Section 8 housing for low-income people, as well as inability of the facility's management to screen workers' backgrounds and inadequate supervision.
Neighbors have met with those leading the project a handful of times recently to try to address problems issues.
"The opposition was probably good because we're going to do everything in our power to make sure we build something the community's proud of," said Dave Manterola, a Franklin County Farm Bureau board member.
He also said those who live in the area will be asked for input on decisions that are made as the project moves forward.
Vatske said she's aware of concerns. Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development representatives recently visited the site, she said, and will continue to facilitate addressing neighbors' worries.
The money is conditional upon the project following through on plans laid out in the proposal, Vatske said.
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