Two years have passed since a shooter massacred seven people at two mushroom farms in the Half Moon Bay community on Thursday. The mass shooting also brought attention to the appalling living conditions that many farmworkers must endure.
Chunli Zhao, 67, the man suspected of carrying out the mass shooting, entered not guilty pleas to several charges and refuted all of the accusations made against him in February of last year.
For almost 50 years, Javier Torres has been employed at farms in Half Moon Bay. He recalls sleeping on cardboard beds and sharing a single room with five to ten other employees.
“The family are disturbed by that. Through a translator, Torres stated, “It causes a great deal of stress for the families, couples, and kids.”
Sandra Sencion, a farmworker advocate with the grassroots charity ALAS (Ayudando Latinos A So ar), is that translator.
After working in the fields for decades, Torres is now able to provide for his family, but he is sharing his early hardships in the hopes that his tale would assist future field workers in finding shelter.
“They’ve worked so hard their whole lives that they deserve to have a space to call their own,” said Sencion.
A mobile housing development for 47 farmworker families is being built at 880 Stone Pine Road. Priority will be given to those who were displaced following the catastrophic shooting two years ago.
“A lot of work needed to be done to improve the living conditions, and we’re doing that now,” said Ray Mueller, the supervisor of San Mateo County District 2.
A five-story affordable housing complex for elderly farmworkers near Half Moon Bay’s core, located at 555 Kelly Ave., is the second project that has not yet begun construction.
To get things started, the governor pushed back and criticized it before the city council finally accepted it in May.
According to the feedback I’ve received, some retailers are concerned about parking. “You tend to hear more objections whenever you do something near a city center,” Mueller added.
“When our group affirms that you belong here. “Yes, you deserve respectable housing,” Sencion remarked, adding that it fosters an inclusive community.
According to Torres, any farmworker housing will benefit families that are in dire need.
“He’s excited for the stability it’s going to bring several hard-working families here on the coast side, seniors that have dedicated their lives to work in the fields, just like he has,” Sencion said.
Mueller added that a $2 million grant to upgrade current farmworker housing will be revealed shortly.
Families are anticipated to move into the mobile home project for the first time in May.
Eliot Pierce is a dedicated writer for ChiefsFocus.com, covering local crime and finance news. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for storytelling, Eliot aims to provide his readers with clear and insightful analysis, helping them navigate the complexities of their financial lives while staying informed about important local events. His commitment to delivering accurate and engaging content makes him a valuable resource for the community.