The Casita Project

Because housing is a human right.

A solid foundation

The Campesinx Casita Project was born from a powerful collaboration between Hijas del Campo and Professor Christopher Walsh of Carondelet High School. What began as a construction class project to build a tiny home quickly became a tangible solution to the urgent housing needs of our CampesinXs.

The first tiny home, built by the school's Engineering for Social Good class in 2022, now houses a farmworker for a two-year residency, offering access to comprehensive social services.

Building on this success, in June 2023, Hijas del Campo received $500,000 in funding from the State of California to expand the project, thanks to Senator Steven Glazier’s advocacy. The additional units, three of which have been purchased, will be located on unused farmland donated by Frog Hollow Farm, and will feature essential plumbing and solar panels, providing a sustainable housing solution.

Additionally, participants in this program will engage in Patelco Credit Union’s Score Up Loan program, to which they will contribute monthly payments based on their income. This program will help individuals save money, build credit, and gain financial literacy skills. At the end of their two-year residency, their accumulated savings and interest will support them in securing future housing.

Why it matters

This program aims to increase the availability of housing units while providing wrap-around services and advocacy that improve living conditions, economic stability, and overall well-being for farmworkers and their families.

Housing shortage

There is a critical shortage of housing services and permanent units for migrant and seasonal farmworkers in Contra Costa and San Joaquin Counties. The unstable nature of farmwork often forces these workers into overcrowded and substandard living conditions, such as mobile homes and trailers with leaks, mold, no running water, and exposure to extreme weather.

Complex systems

Migrant farmworkers often face additional challenges accessing support and resources. Unfamiliar paperwork and strict documentation requirements can make securing stable living conditions and essential aid difficult.

Language barriers

Language barriers, low literacy levels, and fear of landlord retaliation, such as unlawful rent increases and intimidation, further limit their housing options and disempower many farmworkers from asserting their rights.

The Goal

The goal of this program is to increase the supply of affordable, high-quality housing specifically for farmworkers in Contra Costa and San Joaquin Counties, regardless of immigration status. Additionally, the program seeks to enhance the long-term economic stability and well-being of its participants.

Program Details

  • We are committed to making the Campesinx Casita Project a replicable model to effectively address the urgent housing needs of farmworkers. While we have made significant progress, we are just beginning to tackle the full scope of the issue. This initiative is planned to continue indefinitely, as it remains a core focus of Hijas del Campo.

  • Contra Costa County: The first unit was completed and welcomed its first resident, a campesina, in June 2024. Three additional units have been purchased, including one accessible unit for an elderly resident and his elderly spouse. 


    San Joaquin County: Hijas del Campo’s Casita Project Manager is currently working to establish partnerships with farms in San Joaquin County to place multiple tiny homes. Due to the acute demand for farmworker housing, efforts are focused on expanding into rural areas of the county.

  • Casitas: Located in agricultural zoned land owned by current regional partners.  These tiny home models follow the HDC wrap around services model. AG land permits allow up to 12 units in a complex. This ensures that we are staying within the Farmworker Housing Complex standard found in the County ordinance.

    Low-Density Residential: Goals are to further understand the possibilities of partnering with organizations such as The Unity Council, to develop similar units as their Fruitvale Village that have supportive services built into the space.

  • We Need You

    Though initial funding through Senator Glazier's office has allowed us to construct the first five Casitas,  we have seen housing become increasingly unstable for a growing number of farmworkers due to climate change and the introduction of new agricultural technologies, which make farmwork more precarious. We are seeking additional support to construct five more units that will not only provide immediate housing for five families, but will continue to support future families for years to come, offering a sustainable solution to the ongoing housing crisis faced by farmworkers.

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