Creel Avenue in the East Albany Neighborhood, shown on Jan. 18, 2025, is to be widened for the Farmworkers Housing project, planned on the other side of the current fence.
The Albany Community Development Department has approved the site plan for a 54-unit apartment project on the south side of Creel Avenue, a residential street one block south of the Walmart Supercenter.
The city’s decision was filed on Feb. 18 and comes with several conditions. Among other things, before the developers get building permits, they must extend the south end of Goldfish Farm Road along the project’s eastern boundary.
They must also widen Creel Avenue and build a sidewalk on the south side of the street the apartments would face. Access to the complex is to be from the new section of Goldfish Farm Road.
The owner of the project is the Farmworker Housing Development Corp., a largely government-funded nonprofit based in Woodburn. In 2021, the latest year for which the IRS has published the firm’s tax return, the corporation had income of about $50.6 million and expenses of $49.3 million.
“Recognizing the vital contribution of farmworkers to our economy,” the company said on its tax form, “the mission of FHDC is to develop farmworker leadership for stronger and more secure families and communities through affordable housing, social services, education and economic development.”
One of FHDC’s goals is “to develop and manage affordable housing located within urban growth boundaries.”
I’ve reported before on this East Albany project and the City of Albany’s intention to help it along because it would provide “affordable housing.” The most recent report, from last month, is here.
The project appears to depend on grant funding, and whether it goes ahead — and if so when — is unknown. (hh)
This is the field on the south side of Creel Avenue, where Farmworkers Housing Development intends to build a complex of apartments.
If these structures are really being funded for “farmworkers” (illegal aliens?), then farmers employing these modern-day slave-laborers should pay for their housing, and those of us living off the “fruits” of their labors should be paying for their housing. This is disgusting, the way these people are treated, and the way taxpayers are being forced to better their conditions. Pay more for avocados, or stop ordering guacamole should be the standard. Not this.
Bob, I am so sorry, but the farmers you claim are “employing these modern-day slave-laborers” are far too busy filling out the government forms required to get those valuable farm subsidies which are really nothing more than income guarantees.
We could ask Big Pharma to kick in some dollars for construction of this new housing. After all, the Pharmaceutical Giants are subsidized to the tune of $20-Billion or so every year.
The list of government sponges goes on and on, including Cost Plus contracting by the likes of Elon Musk and the other weapons producers. The folks on the Right have got to start living in the real world, not in their race-baiting fantasy land. Oh…and as to the price of avocados….don’t worry. Thanks to the economic brilliance of the Orange Leader, the tariffs on Mexican avocados will soon drive the price of that fruit up as well. Good luck!
So you are saying Big Pharma and Elon Musk are also taking advantage of migrant workers and having taxpayers help subsidize that treatment?
Sorry Bob, Avocados are not grown in the Willamette Valley by any significant measure. Sheesh!
I can see why you use an alias. I’d be embarrassed to use my real name too with such a “clever” response. Maybe you can have someone explain my post to you.
Totally agree Bob Z. Sounds like another USAID project from Biden.
Goodbye to our beautiful
Country town.
Overcrowding and Pandoras box.
Poor Albany
Farmworker Housing Development Corp has built well- managed and well- kept apartment complexes in Lebanon, Silverton, Woodburn, Independence and several more locations. I’ve been onsite and met with the executive staff. The funds for building these complexes have been raised through multiple political leadership cycles since 1990, both red and blue. These units look good, are clean and orderly, and make a dent in the well documented need for affordable housing in Oregon.
Jet: Oregon definitely needs affordable housing, but the question is whether this housing — largely constructed through taxpayer donations and nonprofits — is being constructed for homeless American citizens, or for underpaid Mexican citizens. It’s a demographic concern based on nationality, not race.
Over reach often Bobby!
It’s easy to see why most trolls remain anonymous. Your Mom must be very proud of your typing ability. Also, my name is Bob, whatever yours might be.