Polk County to study worker housing problem.
After a contentious meeting in early January ended Tri-Ben’s Groves plan to build migrant worker housing in Lake Buffum, Polk County Commissioner Jean Reed discussed the need. for a more permanent solution on Wednesday, Jan. 23.
“We need to discuss appropriate spots for this housing,” she said.
Ms. Reed asked that a task force be formed to pinpoint areas of the county appropriate for migrant housing, and the Polk County Farm Bureau said it would support and be involved in such a committee.
The issue began when Tri-Ben Groves revealed a plan to build dormitory-style housing for 132 male imigrant workers hired through the federal H-2A guest worker program.
Residents of Lake Buffum turned out in droves to January’s hearing on the development, stating the plan did not fit with the area’s residential, single-family rural character.
For six hours, the commission met and heard from both sides, finally siding with the homeowners and residents.
At the end of the meeting, Ms. Reed said she had felt “torn” by the decision, And saw the need for the housing, even if Lake Buffum was not an appropriate place.
Commissioners have each been asked to nominate two names for the committee by February’s firstmeeting.