Gabrielle Vignone. Courtesy image.
VENTURA COUNTY — After an extensive search, the House Farm Workers! Board of Directors is pleased to announce that Gabrielle Vignone has accepted the position of Executive Director at the nonprofit and began her new position on October 1, 2021.
Gabrielle Vignone joins the organization with over 13 years of comprehensive experience in the housing industry. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in English as well as an Associates Degree in Legal Studies. Vignone is certified in Fair Housing by the Housing Rights Center, has a Housing Credit Certified Professional designation from NAHB, and a USDA Housing certification. Vignone previously worked with The Towbes Group where she was both the Affordable Senior Community Manager and the Market Rate Community Manager. In these roles, she worked closely with the Ventura Housing Authority, built a strong command of regulations related to fair housing, local building codes, and OSHA. Additionally, Vignone worked at Cabrillo Economic Development Corporation (CEDC), where she interacted directly with farmworker families by supporting their housing needs, and created a resident run Food Share program that is still flourishing.
“Gabrielle is a talented and driven individual, who is truly enthusiastic about the work that we do here, stated Leslie Leavens, Chair of the House Farm Workers! Board. “We expect her experience and passion for increasing farmworker housing in Ventura County will lead to great things for our farmworker population. We are beyond excited to welcome her to House Farm Workers!”
Vignone is actively leading the nonprofit in its longstanding advocacy for safe, decent, and affordable housing for Ventura County farmworkers. An important aspect of her role, working alongside House Farm Workers! consultant Jennifer Coile, is to ensure the housing needs of farmworkers and their families are addressed in the Housing Element Programs currently being updated by all Ventura County cities and the County. Specifically, Vignone and Coile are coordinating advocacy for a Farmworker Housing Study to assess the size and makeup of Ventura County’s farmworker population, their housing needs, and barriers to the construction of farmworker housing. Another key role is to support Housing Trust Fund Ventura County with the creation of a countywide dedicated source of funding for affordable housing.
About the Organization – Since 2004, House Farm Workers! has been promoting safe, decent, secure and affordable housing for farm workers and their families in Ventura County through education and advocacy. The nonprofit 501c3 actively and continually advocates for the agricultural community to elected representatives and community leaders about the need for safe, decent and affordable housing for Ventura County farm workers and their families. There are approximately 41,600 employed farmers in the county, all of which hold key roles in Ventura County’s $2 billion-a-year agricultural industry. The average farm worker’s annual income is $22,000, which is less than the average price of an apartment per year in Ventura County. – www.HouseFarmWorkers.org, (805) 921-0430, info@HouseFarmWorkers.org