About

Our Values Title VI Our Model Who We Serve Annual Report Stay Informed

Housing Trust Fund Ventura County is the local trusted leader in helping to increase affordable housing options throughout Ventura County by leveraging public-private partnerships to provide low-cost, flexible loans early in the housing development cycle.

OUR VALUES

HOUSING STABILITY
Partnering with supporters, donors and developers in providing affordable housing options that create stable homes for underserved residents of Ventura County.

TRUSTWORTHY
Taking seriously our role of managing and expanding our financial resources through responsible stewardship.

PARTNERS
Leveraging public-private partnerships to provide early funding for affordable housing development.

VALUE
Pairing non-traditional funds with creative financial products at below market interest rates to develop affordable housing.

Title VI

Title VI of the Civil Rights Act prohibits discrimination based on race, color, or national origin in programs receiving federal funding, while Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act prohibits discrimination based on disability in any program receiving federal funding, essentially meaning that both laws ensure equal access to services and activities for individuals regardless of their race/national origin (Title VI) or disability status (Section 504).

OUR MODEL

OUR HISTORY

Ventura County Housing Trust Fund (VCHTF) was created in 2008 to respond to the needs of affordable housing developments, which often experience funding gaps during the planning or construction phases. By 2016, VCHTF had become a state Certified Development Financial Institution (CDFI) and in 2018 it had earned a Federal CDFI, receiving financial support from all 10 cities in Ventura County.

In 2019, VCHTF rebranded as Housing Trust Fund Ventura County (Housing Trust Fund VC).

Ventura County continues to face a critical housing crisis. The lack of available housing that is affordable in Ventura County is having a negative impact on the quality of life throughout our region. Despite the downturn in the housing market during recent months, home prices and rental rates continue to outpace the incomes of many Ventura County residents. Without housing that is affordable to a range of income levels, Ventura County residents and businesses will continue to suffer from an overcrowding of public infrastructure and services.

While a regional housing trust fund is not the sole solution to the housing crisis in Ventura County, it is a powerful tool that draws developers and increases the opportunities of residents countywide to access decent, safe, affordable housing. Ensuring our residents can afford the roof over their heads and still have enough money to put food on the table, while meeting other needed expenses, is a goal that Housing Trust Fund Ventura County remains committed to every day.

Housing Trust Fund VC is a 501c3 non-profit | ID #45-3191747

THE HOUSING TRUST FUND MODEL

In this era of limited resources, Housing Trust Funds are able to attract capital from sources not traditionally dedicated to housing. They leverage these funds by combining private resources with foundation and public agency funds to build a revolving loan fund dedicated to expanding affordable and workforce housing. HTF loans are often made early in the development cycle, before traditional funding is available and thus provide the financial support and credibility necessary to attract other money.

Housing Trust Fund Ventura County became a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation in 2011. Unlike most HTF’s funded solely through public means, funds supporting Housing Trust Fund VC, come from a number of public, private, and corporate sources, including:

enjoy this explainer video

Building affordable housing is much like making lasagna. It takes layers from the land acquisition, to the many discussions with cities and developers, to the early funding from Housing Trust Fund Ventura County. Then the homes are built and families and individuals can move in.

FUNDING

Local government funding from the County of Ventura and all ten cities: Camarillo, Fillmore, Moorpark, Ojai, Oxnard, Port Hueneme, San Buenaventura, Santa Paula, Simi Valley, and Thousand Oaks – $6.1 million.
State of California Local Housing Trust Fund Matching Program Housing Bond approved by the voters – Prop 1C (2013-17), Prop 1 (2020-2025) – totaling $20.4M awarded as of December 2025.
Federal CDFI Fund awards received to date: $2,842,324 via Technical Assistant, Emergency Response Program, and Rapid Response Grants.
REAP II Housing Infill on Public and Private Lands Program $5M Grant Award
Banks, Credit Unions, Foundations, Private Companies and Individuals provide Community Impact Notes (Program Related Investments) at below market interest rates: Banc of California, Bank of Sierra, Brokaw Ranch Company, OceanAir, City National Bank, Community West Bank, McCune Foundation, Mechanics Bank, Mission Bank, Montecito Bank & Trust, US Bank, and Weingart Foundation.
Businesses such as McCarthy Companies, Staples Construction, RRM, , and California Commercial Investment Company. And many more.
Other nonprofit support: McCune Foundation. Weingart Foundation, Cabrillo Economic Development Corporation, Many Mansions, People’s Self Help Housing Corp., and Ventura County Community Foundation.
Individual donors such as Giorgio Angelini, Mike & Loretta Merewether, Karl & Mary Ann Krause, Ellen Brokaw, Kay Wilson Bolton, Susan Brinkmeyer, and Dawn Dyer.
Special Events such as HTF Ventura County’s annual Everyone Deserves a Home Compassion Campaign fundraiser.

Goals for 2026

Program Income – $900,000; Total Income – $2.2M
Fund $15 million in loans
Raise $1M in Community Impact Note lending capital
Maximize State and Federal funding for CDFIs
Expand Philanthropic Contributions through a targeted capital campaign
Increase Impact Investing Program with private companies, individuals of high net worth, and Program Related Investment from Foundations
Innovative Financing – Explore new mechanisms to diversify revenue sources
Launch $4.5M fund for new 15-16 year Receipts Residual loan product for developers pursuing Low Income Housing Tax Credits
Expand partnership and capacity of Housing Land Trust Ventura County

WHO WE SERVE

Housing Trust Fund Ventura County helps fund workforce housing for low to moderate income families and individuals. Priority is given to projects that create housing opportunities for: