Yakima County, Washington: Creative Use of Farmworker Housing Aids Homeless Families

June 04, 2019  

Yakima County, Washington: Creative Use of Farmworker Housing Aids Homeless Families

HUD User publishes a series of case studies based on federal, state, and local strategies that increase affordable housing opportunities and support community development. The projects and community development efforts featured in these reports have demonstrated innovation through a multitude of partnerships and initiatives.

The Cosecha Court Apartments were originally built to provide seasonal housing for the migrant farm workers that sustain Yakima County's agricultural economy. Typically, the apartments would be shuttered in the off-season, when wintertime cold put an end to most farm-related work. Since the winter of 2016-2017, however, the Yakima Housing Authority has found an important use for the apartments during the coldest months — providing much-needed transitional housing for individuals and families experiencing homelessness. The apartments offer stability while families search for permanent housing in a tight market. The case study looks at how this creative use of existing housing resources is helping to expand local capacity to aid families with pressing housing needs.

Visit HUD User's Case Studies page to learn more about affordable housing and to view other promising examples of how localities across the nation are raising the bar on sustainable community development.

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