Welcome to the Department of Housing and Community Development

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Office of Migrant Services (OMS)

Purpose

Provide safe, decent and affordable seasonal rental housing and support services for migrant farmworker families during the peak harvest season.

Assistance Type

Grants to local government agencies that contract with HCD to operate OMS centers located throughout the state. HCD obtains and administers funds for the construction and rebuilding of centers.

Terms

Counties, housing authorities and grower associations typically provide land for migrant centers as an in-kind contribution. HCD owns the structures. Child day care and after-school support services are typically available. Tenants are charged a subsidized, affordable daily rent.

HCD contracts annually with local operating agencies and provides grants for OMS center operation, paid from the State General Fund and from OMS rental income. Occupancy is normally limited to 6 months per year.

Funds for the construction or rebuilding of centers come from State General Fund appropriations and U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development Service (RD) awards.

Eligible Activities

Construction, rehabilitation, maintenance and operation of seasonal rental housing for migrant farm workers.

Eligible Applicants

Local government agencies, housing authorities, nonprofit corporations, school districts and health agencies.

Application Process

Funds to operate, maintain and rehabilitate existing centers are budgeted and contracted annually.

Contact

(916) 324-0695

Program Publications