During its Annual Public Meeting in January, Housing Trust Fund Ventura County announced two new Directors have joined its Board. Executive Director of the Housing Authority of the City of Santa Paula, Elenore Vaughn joins the Board bringing with her two decades of experience in real estate development and public affairs. Joining Ms. Vaughn on the Board is longstanding community member and partner at McCarthy Companies, Sarah McCarthy-Garcia, who brings years of local building and business development experience. The 2023 Board is led by 2023 Chair Tracy McAulay, Management Analyst for the County of Ventura Community Development Division and Vice Chair Ken Trigueiro, CEO & President of People’s Self-Help Housing.

With over 140 registered guests attending the nonprofit’s Annual Public Meeting via Zoom, guests heard from Richard Green, Ph.D. Director and Lusk Chair in Real Estate at the USC Lusk Center for Real Estate and Alan Greenlee, Executive Director of the Southern California Association of Non-Profit Housing. Tailored around the theme, “Lives Connected Through One Common Need,” the speakers stressed the economic importance of ensuring that all members of a community are provided equitable access to safe and affordable homes and the role that a revolving loan fund plays in creating them. During the meeting, the nonprofit announced that since 2013 over $26 million, $14.7 million in 2022 alone, has been funded or committed to build 1,120 affordable multifamily developments. Additionally, its supporting nonprofit, Housing Land Trust Ventura County, has received two parcels of donated land since 2021 on which to build permanent affordable homes.

Ventura County ranked first as experiencing the worst housing shortage in the nation according to a study released by nonprofit research group Up for Growth. Short 31,000 units, Ventura County is part of a nationwide trend that saw housing underproduction double between 2012 and 2019. The study did not include a 25% increase in the county’s homeless population since the beginning of the pandemic. As the housing crisis continues to worsen, new approaches are necessary to provide affordable housing to more people.

Addressing the high cost of land is one of the most direct ways to make building affordable housing easier and faster. Between 2012 and 2017, the value of land used for single-family housing in the United States rose at a rate nearly four times higher than inflation, according to a report by the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University. A community land trust allows different sectors to join together to identify and secure land as a lasting asset on which to create and maintain permanently affordable housing developments, providing opportunities for generations of lower income families and individuals. 

Housing Land Trust Ventura County was formed in 2021 as a community land trust that works to acquire donated land to preserve for affordable housing development by removing the most cost-prohibitive part of building affordable homes, the high cost of land. 
Ventura County has at least two different types of Land Trusts. Housing Land Trust VC accepts land for development of affordable housing in perpetuity. Ventura Land Trust, on the other hand. preserves land for open space such as the Ventura hillsides.  Both play a vital role in our community’s long-term viability.

In April 2021, Housing Land Trust Ventura County received a donation of land valued at $840,000 from the city of Oxnard for the development of what will be The Oxnard Navigation Center at Casa de Carmen. The project is being led by developer Community Development Partners and will provide 55 affordable housing units, 110 shelter beds, and 24-hour supportive services to the city's homeless population. Housing Trust Fund Ventura County provided a loan of $800,000 to support pre-development costs associated exclusively with the 55 affordable housing units. Eliminating the cost of land and providing pre-development funding directly contributes to the Navigation Center’s ability to give time and resources to the people that need them most.

The land donation was also included as part of $5 million raised locally by Housing Trust Fund VC, which was matched by the California Department of Housing and Community Development under State Proposition 1 Local Housing Trust Fund matching grant program. This marks a first-ever achievement in Ventura County where the value of donated land is included in the state match, paving the way for future land donations and creative approaches to solving the housing crisis. 

In November, the city of Thousand Oaks approved the donation of 3.87 acres of surplus land, formerly the site of Hillcrest Christian School, to Housing Trust Fund VC/Housing Land Trust VC. The land, valued at $10 million, will be developed by People’s Self-Help Housing into nearly 80 affordable for-purchase townhomes. Housing Land Trust VC is uniquely positioned to ensure each property remains affordable for all future homeowners with a 99-year lease that includes a pay-it-forward deed restriction through the community land trust. 

As more people are priced out of their homes, those affected often include our most essential workers. In 2021, the Brookings Institution found that essential workers make up nearly half of all earners in low-paid occupations. Without affordable housing essential workers are forced to commute from neighboring cities and counties, affecting everything from traffic to the economy of Ventura County.

Affordable housing strengthens our community by creating opportunities for residents to build quality lives. Providing both affordable rental units and deed-restricted affordable homes for-purchase gives residents a sense of permanence that creates stability and an opportunity to grow. When residents have the stability they need, they have the freedom to live, work, shop and give back to a community they feel invested in.

Housing Land Trust Ventura County is committed to finding new ways to make affordable housing even easier, starting with the high cost of land. By taking new approaches to an old problem, we can work to solve the housing crisis and provide affordable housing more effectively and efficiently, because everyone deserves a home.

Housing Trust Fund Ventura County invites anyone interested in learning about affordable housing impacts and solutions to its Annual Meeting on Wednesday, January 18, 2023, 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. via Zoom. Register free at www.housingtrustfundvc.org/2023annualmeeting. Recognizing, “Lives Connected Through One Common Need,” the nonprofit is hosting two recognized experts on affordability of homes in California – Richard Green, Ph.D. Director and Lusk Chair in Real Estate at the USC Lusk Center for Real Estate and Alan Greenlee, Executive Director of the Southern California Association of Non-Profit Housing.
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Dr. Green will be showcasing the “2022 Multifamily Real Estate Forecast,” and Mr. Greenlee will be discussing the newly passed “Homelessness and Housing Solutions Tax” on transfers of residential and commercial real property valued in excess of $5 million within the city of Los Angeles.

Housing Trust Fund Ventura County is committed to funding the development of safe and equitable homes that make a positive impact in the trajectory of people’s lives. In support of that effort, the nonprofit recently received $18,000 from a combined two operating grants from Citizens Business Bank and the Bank of Sierra and a $500,000 investment from US Bank into its Everyone Deserves a Home Community Impact Note. Funding such as this is pooled with other supportive funding sources to ensure developments like the Rancho Sierra Senior Apartments (Rancho Sierra) are built to foster positive change for individuals and families who face housing insecurity.
 
Housing Trust Fund VC is providing just over $4.4 million in a pre-development construction loan for the development of Rancho Sierra located on unincorporated land near Camarillo. The 49 senior apartments, 24 of which are set aside for homeless individuals or those at risk of becoming homeless, will be built by Many Mansions with support services overseen by the Area Housing Authority of the County of Ventura. Rancho Sierra Senior Apartments is the first affordable development in Ventura County utilizing prefabricated units. With the units factory-built off-site and delivered ready to stand, construction costs are reduced, leading to overall project cost savings as well as a shortened construction period

​Ventura County, CA – Housing Trust Fund Ventura County announces a 3.87 acre land donation by the City of Thousand Oaks to its supporting non-profit, the Housing Land Trust Ventura County. Approved at the City’s November 1, 2022 City Council meeting, the donated land located at 384 N. Erbes Road will be developed by People’s Self-Help Housing into nearly 80 affordable for-sale townhomes. People’s Self-Help Housing, as the lead agency, is working with collaborative partners Housing Trust Fund Ventura County/Housing Land Trust Ventura County, Ventura County Community Development Corp, McCarthy Companies, and DiCecco Architecture to bring this development to fruition.
 
Homeownership is widely out of reach for many residents in Ventura County. The Hillcrest Homes development will open up home ownership for the community’s low-income to moderate-income individuals and families. “There is absolutely no doubt that the City of Thousand Oaks is taking a historic step. It is a step that takes courage. It is a step that will help improve our community,” commented Councilwoman Claudia Bill-de la Peña during the City Council meeting. In 2021, the City of Thousand Oaks acquired the Hillcrest site from Hillcrest Christian School and in early 2022 the City Council adopted a resolution declaring the site as exempt surplus land pursuant to the Surplus Lands Act.
 
The ability to build affordable housing often comes down to the high cost of land. A critical element of success for the Hillcrest Homes development is the donation of the land by the City of Thousand Oaks and the mechanism established by Housing Trust Fund VC to receive the land through its new supporting nonprofit, Housing Land Trust Ventura County. Hillcrest Homes is the second parcel donated to Housing Land Trust VC since its formation in 2021. In April 2021, the City of Oxnard donated a 22,000 sq parcel located at 241 W. 2nd Street for the development of The Oxnard Navigation Center, which will provide 110 shelter beds and 24-hour supportive services for our community's homeless population. In addition, the development will provide 55 permanent housing units, recently renamed Casa de Carmen in honor of the late Carmen Ramirez.
 
“We value our long-term partnership with the City of Thousand Oaks. As an early investor into the Trust Fund, the City’s funds have been leveraged and cycled through our revolving loan fund many times over to produce affordable housing throughout Ventura County,” said Linda Braunschweiger, CEO of Housing Trust Fund VC and Housing Land Trust VC. “With this latest land donation, the Housing Trust Fund / Housing Land Trust will be able to leverage millions of dollars in diverse funding from the state as well as the federal government to produce more affordable housing. These resources will also be used to help fund this project.”

Housing Trust Fund Ventura County has been notified by the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) that it has been awarded $5,000,000 from the Local Housing Trust Fund (LHTF) program. This is a result of the nonprofit’s ability to raise $5M in local funding to receive this 100% match from the California State Prop 1 matching grant program. This brings the total funding for Housing Trust Fund VC in this program round to $10M, which through the development of safe and affordable housing will positively impact the lives of farmworkers, veterans, low-income seniors, cognitively impaired individuals, houseless persons, transitional age foster youth, and extremely-low and low-income individuals and families.

The Housing Programs and Veterans’ Loans Bond, also known as California’s Proposition 1, includes the 1:1 fund matching Local Housing Trust Fund (LHTF) program, providing funding to Housing Trust Funds for the development of rental housing with a focus on low to extremely low-income housing units. This program affords the opportunity for applicant agencies to apply for up to $5 million per year for five years totaling a potential of $25 million. Housing Trust Fund VC has now received $9,019,387 from this program which began in 2020.

“We have been laser focused this last program year to raise $5 million locally so that we could fully leverage the Prop 1 match and we’ve done it!” commented Linda Braunschweiger, CEO of Housing Trust Fund Ventura County. “We have experts in housing on our Board and their leadership guided us towards this vital achievement that will result in more affordable apartments and homes in Ventura County, many of which are already in our development pipeline.” Currently, Housing Trust Fund VC has a pipeline of first-phase approved projects throughout the County with an estimated loan amount just over $32 million and will result in 656 affordable rental units.

Included in the $5 million raised locally, is the $840,000 valued land donated by the City of Oxnard for the development of a new Homeless Solutions Center. This is a first ever achievement in Ventura County where the value of donated land is included by HCD for the purposes of calculating the State match. In addition to this land donation, Housing Trust Fund VC successfully raised this round’s $5 million local match through support of sponsors, donors, grants, loan repayments and its record-setting Compassion Campaign fundraising event. The nonprofit’s successful investment vehicle – Everyone Deserves a Home Community Impact Note, has also attracted investors from both the public and private sector.

“The need for affordable housing continues to grow in our community,” commented Housing Trust Fund VC Board Chair Alex Russell. “This $5 million LHTF award paired with the $5 million local match will go a long way towards building new, safe, quality homes that are affordable to our most underserved populations.” Housing Trust Fund VC is looking at 2023 and beyond to ensure that the $5 million Prop 1 funds are matched 100% every year through the program’s sunset in 2024. To support our community of essential farmworkers, veterans, low-income seniors and more with affordable housing in Ventura County go to, www.housingtrustfundvc.org/donate-now.
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Developers interested in receiving a loan may visit www.housingtrustfundvc.org/funding-programs and review the Program and Loan Underwriting Guidelines.  A list of projects that have received first phase approval are also available on the website at www.housingtrustfundvc.org/housing.

Ventura County, CA – Housing Trust Fund Ventura County (Housing Trust Fund VC) announces a $2,500,000 predevelopment loan approved for funding to AMCAL Multi-Housing, Inc. (AMCAL) for the Terra Campagna Apartments set to begin construction in November.
 
The need for affordable housing is felt throughout Ventura County, especially among our most essential workers. The Terra Campagna Apartments will serve the county’s large community of farmworkers and their families with 160 affordable housing units in Somis. This represents the second phase of the Somis Ranch Farmworkers Community development. Phase one consists of 200 units and is currently under construction with an anticipated completion date in the spring of 2024. Both developments will include community centers, social services, outdoor community spaces and play areas for all ages.   
 
The Terra Campagna Apartments will provide high-quality affordable housing utilizing state-of-the-art design, providing modern amenities and on-site services to farmworker households with incomes at 30, 50, and 60 percent of AMI (Area Median Income). The site will include social gathering spaces designed to foster community including a resident garden and computer room. Tenants will coordinate with an on-site Social Service provider to determine programs which best serve the community. With a mind toward sustainability, the development will include energy efficient construction, solar PV generation, sustainable irrigation, and a non-smoking policy. “These apartments will not only provide affordable housing to one of our County’s hardest-working communities, it will also provide important resources families need to build their future,” said Linda Braunschweiger, CEO of Housing Trust Fund VC and Housing Land Trust VC. “Affordable housing is about more than building structures, it’s about creating a strong and stable foundation for our residents, which in turn helps our community to thrive as a more inclusive environment in which we all work, raise our children, and live.”
 
This development is funded in part by Housing Trust Fund VC’s Everyone Deserves a Home Revolving Loan Fund, which provides below-market interest rate loans for the development of affordable housing in Ventura County. This spring, Housing Trust Fund VC received a Community Impact Note (at below market interest rate) from CBC Federal Credit Union for $250,000. This Note is combined with funds from other public and private investors and donors to provide lending capital in support of Housing Trust Fund VC’s promise of building safe and equitable homes in Ventura County.

Ventura County, CA – Housing Trust Fund Ventura County (Housing Trust Fund VC) recently celebrated its 3rd Annual Compassion Campaign at beautiful Maravilla Gardens in Camarillo. Over 175 attendees gathered for a deeply moving interactive experience. Guests were immersed in an unforgettable evening highlighting the interconnectedness of people’s lives and how we are all impacted by the need for more affordable housing. Housing Trust Fund VC achieved a fundraising record high through generous donors, sponsors, and investors, once again highlighting that as a collective community we can work towards achieving housing equity for all in Ventura County.

Attendees received a special message from California Department of Housing and Community Development Director Gustavo Velasquez on the importance of housing policies and agendas, and how when we all work together progress can be made to tackle the affordable housing crisis in California. 

“What an emotional and moving evening. It was amazing to see so many faces in support of providing funding solutions for affordable homes,” stated Housing Trust Fund Ventura County CEO Linda Braunschweiger, “A special thank you to City National Bank and all of our amazing sponsors. Together we will make a difference.” Compassion Campaign 2022 sponsors included City National Bank, CIT Bank, CBC Federal Credit Union, Bank of America, City of Buenaventura, McCarthy Construction, Montecito Bank and Trust, USA-HOPE, Ventura Ranch Partners, Williams Homes and more. 

An evening highlight was hearing how affordable housing has positively impacted Daisy, a current resident of one of Housing Trust Fund VC’s funded developments. Daisy shared that after fighting addiction and homelessness, she finally has a place to call home, which changed the trajectory of her life in every way. With the audience in tears, Daisy concluded that more people like her can be helped when our community gathers at events like this to truly understand how affordable homes can lift people and families up. 

To join our community in support of funding more affordable housing across Ventuera County, please visit: www.housingtrustfundvc.org/donate-now