Workers Forced To Live In Cars Farmer Removes Tents That Fell Short Of Housing Standards

A Canyon County cherry grower’s decision to remove tents used to house workers because the accommodations did not meet federal housing standards apparently has forced some 25 farm workers to live in their cars.

Although workers still are picking cherries, the seven tents were taken down, Gordon Saxton said, after publicity about the living conditions at the camp south of Lake Lowell.

Federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration officials went to the camp Friday, but the tents already had been removed. Jerry Hockett, OSHA’s Idaho director, said the tents would not have met government requirements.

No citations were issued, Hockett said.

Saxton said he provided the tents to workers at no charge, along with portable toilets, running water and a gas grill.

The workers said the tents leaked and had no heat, windows or refrigerators - all requirements for legal housing.

A farmer is not required to provide housing, but if it is provided, the houses must meet safety and health guidelines, Hockett said.

Tim Lopez, the Idaho Migrant Council’s housing director, said many farm workers live in conditions worse than tents - boxcars or automobiles or even sleeping outside in orchards.

“What is really distressing is here we are in 1995, and many, many families are living in no better conditions than farm workers were 50 years ago,” Lopez said.

Migrant workers have serious problems obtaining housing because they lack money and need accommodations for only a few months. The problems have been aggravated as Idaho’s booming population has forced rentals up and vacancy rates down.

The Migrant Council has five housing projects, but the closest is in Emmett. And while projects are planned in Blackfoot and Dubois, the grants available for the construction are geared toward year-round homes, Lopez said.