The  convergence of local, sustainable food production and affordable housing presents a unique and promising opportunity, particularly in the Pacific Northwest. By leveraging agriculturally zoned land—often overlooked for residential development—this approach can address housing shortages while supporting local food systems. It also offers investors a chance to generate substantial value through innovative, community-focused projects that align with growing demand for sustainability and affordability. Manufactured housing, paired with small-scale farming, unlocks this potential, creating a scalable model that benefits residents, investors, and local economies.

Temporary farm worker housing    

One powerful way to realize this vision is through temporary farmworker housing, a regulatory tool already embedded in local land use codes. In every county in Washington and Oregon, for example, land use and planning codes include provisions for temporary farmworker housing (TFH). These typically stipulate that TFH:

• Is permitted when there’s a demonstrated onsite need for farm labor.
• Is exempt from conventional plan review, density requirements, or related land use regulations.
• Must be “temporary” and removable if the onsite farm labor need ceases.

In essence, TFH is allowed if tied to onsite agricultural labor needs. Since it’s temporary and not for sale or lease, it faces less stringent placement standards. Practically, this could be transformative: Small farms requiring labor could generate housing. Most codes don’t specify the amount of labor required, so a part-time farmworker could qualify to occupy TFH.

Manufactured homes: The key to TFH

TFH codes require units to be “temporary” and movable, making manufactured homes ideal. Under TFH provisions, as many manufactured homes (especially smaller park models or tiny homes) as needed for farm labor can be placed on a property. Without mandates for full-time labor, part-time workers can occupy these units. These homes support full-time living while remaining movable. Additionally, TFH allows nonconventional utilities, such as off-grid power or alternative sewer systems, unavailable to standard housing.

TFH codes also prohibit renting or selling these units to the public, and occupants must include at least one farm employee. This creates a rental challenge, requiring a streamlined process to designate occupants as “temporary farmworkers.” One solution is to establish modular “small farms” on a larger property, each paired with a TFH unit. This structure, resembling a mobile home park, assigns each “lot” as a small farm with a dedicated operation. Independent operations ensure clear responsibilities for each unit.

Scaling sustainable communities

This model delivers affordable housing and supports local, sustainable food production without competing for traditionally zoned land, targeting farmland typically unavailable for conventional development. A viable proof of concept could scale significantly, given the abundance of agriculturally zoned land near Pacific Northwest metropolitan areas, while revitalizing neglected farmland to enhance local value. However, unlike standard mobile home parks, this approach demands robust management. Centralizing functions like management, sales, and distribution is essential to create a sustainable ecosystem where part-time farmers thrive long-term. These centralized systems scale more easily than labor, potentially supporting multiple development.

Case study: Greenhouse

A micro-greenhouse operation exemplifies this model. A hypothetical 10-acre farm could support 50 small greenhouse-based farms (five units per acre):

• Park model-style homes (400 square feet, plus outdoor areas and parking = 1,500 square feet of living space)
• 32x100-foot greenhouse “farm” (3,200 square feet)
• Approximately 4,700 square feet per unit
• Additional land allows for setbacks, roads, and shared infrastructure

The greenhouse would operate year-round, requiring 20-30 hours weekly of farm labor. Crops could include leafy greens, tomatoes, herbs, and cucumbers, with aquaculture for diversification. Occupants, like mobile home park residents, would own their home and greenhouse operation, leasing the land. Lease payments would be covered, wholly or partially, by selling crops to the central management entity.