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Every tenant
has a right to safe housing which does not endanger their health or
wellbeing. Farm workers often have few options. Some live in spaces
which were not meant as living spaces, such as garages, closets and
tents. Others are forced to live in housing which is unsafe or unhealthy
because of plumbing problems, roof leaks, overcrowding, electrical
hazards, mold, broken windows, locking doors, lack of heat, lack of
weatherproofing, insect and other vermin infestation, septic problems
and other hazards. Landlords are responsible for providing safe living
conditions and landlords must make repairs as needed. It is the
tenant’s responsibility to notify the landlord of conditions which need
repairs.
A landlord
cannot evict a tenant from housing without following legal procedures,
such as giving the tenant adequate notice and the opportunity to defend
oneself in court. It is against the law for employers who provide
housing to their employees to evict employees for unlawful reasons,
which may include illegal discrimination and retaliation for complaints
regarding living or working conditions.
Illegal
discrimination includes denying housing because of the worker's race,
color, sex, national origin, religion, disability, pregnancy or having
children in the household. CRLA's Fair Housing Hotline, in Spanish,
English, and other languages is 1-800-997-2752.
AWHP
advocates have represented farm workers living in unsafe conditions and
those who have been illegally evicted. CRLAF has successfully organized
and lobbied for many years to achieve better laws to increase housing
options and safer conditions for farmworkers.
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