The Ongoing Problem of Securing Housing for Agricultural Workers

The Ongoing Problem of Securing Housing for Agricultural Workers

A Project Protect promotora helps a single mother with finding secure housing for her and her two children.

Diane Mendez

September 2021

Delanee Taylor

Anonymous Agricultural Worker

Agricultural Worker

Otero County, Southeast

For many agricultural workers, one of the main challenges that they face is finding housing. In late August, Diane Mendez, a promotora in the Southeast region of Colorado, helped a young woman to secure housing in Otero County. The agricultural worker was a single mother with two children, and she was struggling to find the work that she needed to live in a certain apartment complex. She had been staying with her parents in their home but needed to move out because she did not want to cause any rent issues for them. It was important though for her to find housing in the area because she would need help from her mother with childcare once she found work. After a couple of weeks though, she was able to find an apartment. The young woman then called Diane to ask questions about her monthly rent and deposit. She also asked if there were any programs, she could reach out to about getting an air conditioner. While Diane could not find a program that would help her with the air conditioner, she was able to get the agricultural worker some financial aid that would help her with rent. The worker would also be able to use the financial aid to then purchase an air conditioner. Diane also got the agricultural worker a meeting with one of the partnering programs to discuss financial aid and share information regarding job training, which would help the worker to eventually leave the agriculture industry. Diane was happy to help this young mother with her living situation, and every time she spoke with her, the woman would express her thankfulness for the help and her gratitude for the programs that were able to provide her aid.