December 21, 2020

Central West Justice Center Announces COVID-19 Pandemic Housing Relief Fund for Migrant and Seasonal Farmworkers

Central West Justice Center (CWJC), an affiliate of Community Legal Aid, is proud to support farmworkers across Massachusetts through the newly created Migrant and Seasonal Farmworkers COVID-19 Pandemic Housing Relief Fund (Fund). The Fund aims to assist farmworkers who are experiencing financial hardship and are at risk of homelessness or housing instability. The Fund is a collaboration of Justice for Migrant Women and Hispanics in Philanthropy.

The Fund is open to farmworkers who live in Massachusetts and work in farming and agriculture in Massachusetts and neighboring states. The Fund aims to help farmworkers pay for rent, utility bills (such as gas, electric, or water), or moving costs. Those wishing to apply must submit an application through organizations or agencies that work directly with farmworkers.

Massachusetts is home to approximately 20,000 farmworkers, many of whom are migrant and seasonal workers. During this year’s farming season, farmworkers were particularly vulnerable and exposed to the transmission of COVID-19, as it is inherently difficult for farmworkers to socially distance due to the nature of their work. In addition, the usual off-season jobs that have previously been available to migrant and seasonal farmworkers (such as restaurant or hospitality work) may not be available because of the pandemic, leaving many farmworkers in economic instability and in danger of losing their housing.

CWJC is a non-profit organization that provides legal services to low-income people in Central and Western Massachusetts. CWJC’s Migrant and Seasonal Farmworker Project is the only statewide project that provides advocacy to farmworkers across the Commonwealth on a wide range of legal matters relating to immigration, labor and employment, housing, benefits, and family law.

For more information about CWJC and the Migrant and Seasonal Farmworkers Project, and how to apply for housing relief from the Migrant and Seasonal Farmworkers COVID-19 Pandemic Housing Relief Fund, please visit www.cwjustice.org.

Contact: Claudia Quintero, Esq.,
Staff Attorney, Central West Justice Center
Phone: (413) 686-9054
Email: cquintero@cwjustice.org

Download the Pandemic Relief Fund Application: COVID 19 Pandemic Housing Relief Fund _Referring Agency Application