Our Mission
Recognizing the vital contribution of farmworkers to our economy, the mission of FHDC is to develop farmworker leadership for stronger and more secure families and communities through affordable housing, social services, education, and economic development.
The mission is carried out by pursuing the following goals:
- To develop and manage affordable housing located within Urban Growth Boundaries
- To provide social and educational services that promote personal and economic self-sufficiency
- To include farmworkers in decision-making and ongoing project management
- To develop and support the leadership of farmworkers within the larger community
- To build and strengthen community partnership
Our History
Farmworker Housing Development Corporation is a community-based non-profit organization dedicated to serving mid-Willamette Valley farmworkers and their families. FHDC was established in 1990 when PCUN (Oregon’s Farmworker Union), Oregon Legal Services, Farmworker Ministries, Salud Medical Center, and a number of individuals joined forces to establish a single agency for the development of affordable housing for low-income farmworkers.
Farmworkers first began to come to this country in large numbers in the early 1940s when the federal government sponsored the Bracero Program to bring workers to this country from Mexico to take the place of men and women who had previously worked in the fields but were now involved in a massive War effort. Though the Bracero Program ended in 1946, immigrant farmworkers from Mexico and other Central American countries continue to be the backbone of the agricultural industry. The Board of Directors authorized FHDC to pursue other programs that would strengthen the farmworker community and build leadership. Prior to the establishment of FHDC many farmworkers were homeless and those that were housed were very often living in overcrowded and substandard conditions.
In 1992 FHDC started the development of our first housing project, Nuevo Amanecer, Phase I, amid fierce opposition from some community leaders who preferred to see farmworkers segregated in remote labor camps. Governor Barbara Roberts was instrumental in making this project happen and has continued to support FHDC’s efforts. We opened the doors of Nuevo Amanecer to 50 families in 1994.
Recognizing that there were still thousands of farmworker families living in inadequate, overcrowded, poorly located, and often unsafe housing in Marion County alone, we moved ahead with the development of Esperanza Court in downtown Woodburn, long the heart of the Latino farmworker community. Again we encountered opposition, this time from the Mayor and other key city officials. Construction was delayed for more than a year. It took the mobilization of farmworkers and residents who testified at public hearings to win approval for Esperanza Court. Esperanza Court, a complex of 12 two-bedroom units, was opened in 1997. This was followed in 1999 by a 40 unit project, Nuevo Amanecer, Phase II.
In 2001 we began construction of 6 homes (Villa del Sol) located on one acre of land within the Woodburn urban growth boundary. These attractive and spacious three bedroom, two bath homes were completed and sold to farmworkers by 2004 for below market-rates.
One of the dreams long held by our Board of Directors was to establish a community building and education center at Nuevo Amanecer. We began a capital campaign in 2000 and successfully concluded it in 2003, raising more than $1.5 million for the Cipriano Ferrel Education Center. Cipriano Ferrel, who worked closely with Cesar Chavez until Chavez’ death in 1993, was a PCUN co-founder and President and co-founder of FHDC. Cipriano was our first Community Organizer and it’s his model of leadership development and community organization that FHDC continues to utilize.
Several foundations, community and church groups, and individuals pledged their support. And this time, instead of facing opposition from the City or local residents, the City of Woodburn and FHDC jointly submitted a Community Development Block Grant application to the State which brought us the final $600,000 we needed to begin construction. The building was dedicated in October, 2003 and has become the educational and cultural center of the community. Governor Kulongoski spoke at the dedication describing our community as “the new face of Oregon.”
Soon afterward, FHDC began construction of the first farmworker housing to be built in Salem. This new community, Colonia Libertad, opened in June, 2005 and was fully occupied within a month. Several local organizations serving Latinos have located their offices at Colonia Libertad in the southeast section of Salem. On the west side of the community building is a colorful two-story mural depicting the history of Latino farmworkers in the United States. The mural was painted by mural artist Hector Hernandez with the enthusiastic help of ten farmworker children who are residents of FHDC housing.
In 2004 we also acquired 3.72 acres of land in Independence. Ground breaking for Colonia Amistad, 38 units of housing, occurred in June of 2006. Completion of the development is scheduled for June of 2007. We overcame concerns of the City Planning Commission and local residents and now are working closely with the City and our newest neighbors. We are working with various service-delivery and cultural organizations in the area to obtain educational and other services needed by our future residents. Two of these beautiful apartments contain an extra 180 sq. feet set aside for child care, thus improving the economic prospects of families at Amistad and providing qualified care to children whose parents may wish to work. This project is being constructed using green building technologies and materials; we are seeking official “Green Certification” for this and all future developments.
FHDC has long been a leader in innovative approaches to building communities for farmworkers. We lead the way in addressing the farmworker housing crisis in the mid-Willamette Valley. FHDC won recognition for its Resident Association, a unique approach to property management that includes the residents of the properties. Nuevo Amanecer was the first farmworker housing tax credit project in the nation. Staff, the majority of whom were once farmworkers themselves or are from farmworker families, are dedicated to ensuring that resident families have access to the educational services and economic opportunities that will allow them to better their lives. Their children have opportunities no one could have imagined for them a decade ago. Staff helps adults and their youth to acquire the skills to build leadership and encourage them in its expression. What began more than ten years ago as a small farmworker community at Nuevo Amanecer, Phase I, has now grown into several vibrant communities whose residents are eager to engage in the effort to become self-sufficient.