Adequate housing for agricultural workers is critical for Michigan agricultural producers and should not be negatively affected by local zoning ordinances.
We support:
- MDARD having exclusive responsibility for inspection and approval of occupancy for seasonal farm worker housing.
- Amending the Michigan Zoning Enabling Act to allow farm worker housing, including multi-family housing and dormitories, as a use by right in all zones.
- Creating a statewide migrant labor housing policy that preempts local authority.
- Legislation allowing farmers to share agricultural worker housing.
- Developing state tax assessing guidelines that support agricultural worker housing.
We oppose:
- Local zoning ordinances that are stricter for agricultural worker housing than that of any residential home.