Prop 1 match brings total raised at event to $200,000 and takes organization halfway to its $5 million year-end goal for Ventura County affordable housing.
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CITIZENS JOURNAL
https://www.citizensjournal.us/housing-trust-fund-ventura-county-raises-100000-during-your-business-depends-on-housing-event/
Added by Debra Tash on July 31, 2019.

​Ventura, CA – Kicking off the summer, Housing Trust Fund Ventura County (HTF Ventura County) hosted its eighth annual educational and donor recognition fundraising event at the picturesque Maravilla Gardens in Camarillo. The $100,000 raised during the event will grow to $200,000 thanks to a 1:1 fund matching program provided by California State Proposition 1. HTF Ventura County is now halfway to its year-end goal of raising $5 million in support of developing affordable housing for Ventura County. During the evening celebration, Housing Trust Fund Ventura County also debuted its fresh new logo and color palette.

​Keynote State Treasurer Fiona Ma addressed a crowd of over 200 housing advocates, business, and community leaders speaking to this year’s topic, Your Business Depends on Housing: We’re all in this together. “My vision for the State Treasurer’s Office is a proactive, solution-oriented agency that understands the dire importance of creating partnerships with the private sector,” said Treasurer Ma, who noted that she has conducted two statewide housing listening tours seeking to revamp regulations under her purview and to “ensure we help increase the production of homes in California.” Inadequate, unaffordable, and a general lack of housing for Ventura County employees, especially those in the middle- and lower-income level, is a leading factor hindering business expansion and economic growth in our community.
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With increased community and business donations, HTF Ventura County can exponentially grow its revolving loan fund by leveraging State Proposition 1, the Housing Programs and Veterans’ Loans Bond, which provides a 1:1 fund matching program, up to $10 million. “Our goal is to hit $5 million by December 31st and then raise the additional $5 million in 2020,” commented Linda Braunschweiger, CEO of Housing Trust Fund Ventura County. “We were thrilled to raise $200,000 between donations and Prop 1’s matching fund at this event. Paired with previous donations and funding, we are now halfway to our 2019 goal.”

A highlight of the evening was the unveiling of HTF Ventura County’s new logo. “We went through a well-crafted decision-making process to arrive at this logo,” stated Housing Trust Fund Ventura County Board Chair, Jennie Buckingham. “It’s amazing how all the elements have meaning and work together to truly represent who we are and what we do for affordable housing in our community.” The new logo includes a multi-level home firmly rooted to the ground to reflect fund stability as well as housing stability for individuals and families. The waves depict Ventura County while the three panels are reminiscent of multiple developments and financial charts with the final panel dipping slightly to demonstrate there is still a need. The color palette represents Ventura County from its coastal waters to its plentiful agriculture, while also symbolizing HTF Ventura County’s strength and integrity (deep blue), tranquil stability and optimism (light teal), and renewal and growth (green). The new tagline, “Everyone deserves a home,” underscores the reason HTF Ventura County exists in our community.
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Housing Trust Fund Ventura County – Launched as a 501c3 nonprofit corporation in 2012, Ventura County Housing Trust Fund became Housing Trust Fund Ventura County (HTF Ventura County) in July 2019. HTF 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. As of July 2019, HTF Ventura County has invested
$4.7 million through its revolving loan fund, creating 143 affordable apartments and homes for very-low, low- and middle- income employees, transitional age foster youth, veterans, farm workers, and the homeless.

​August 28 – September 10, 2019 ​
http://venturabreeze.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/V12.N24-8.28.19.pdf

​Keynote State Treasurer Fiona Ma addressed a crowd of over 200 housing advocates, business, and community leaders speaking to this year’s topic, Your Business Depends on Housing: We’re all in this together. “My vision for the State Treasurer’s Office is a proactive, solution-oriented agency that understands the dire importance of creating partnerships with the private sector,” said Treasurer Ma, who noted that she has conducted two statewide housing listening tours seeking to revamp regulations under her purview and to “ensure we help increase the production of homes in California.” Inadequate, unaffordable, and a general lack of housing for Ventura County employees, especially those in the middle- and lower-income level, is a leading factor hindering business expansion and economic growth in our community.

With increased community and business donations, HTF Ventura County can exponentially grow its revolving loan fund by leveraging State Proposition 1, the Housing Programs and Veterans’ Loans Bond, which provides a 1:1 fund matching program, up to $10 million. “Our goal is to hit $5 million by December 31st and then raise the additional $5 million in 2020,” commented Linda Braunschweiger, CEO of Housing Trust Fund Ventura County. “We were thrilled to raise $200,000 between donations and Prop 1’s matching fund at this event. Paired with previous donations and funding, we are now halfway to our 2019 goal.”

A highlight of the evening was the unveiling of HTF Ventura County’s new logo. “We went through a well-crafted decision-making process to arrive at this logo,” stated Housing Trust Fund Ventura County Board Chair, Jennie Buckingham.

​Launched as a 501c3 nonprofit corporation in 2012, Ventura County Housing Trust Fund became Housing Trust Fund Ventura County (HTF Ventura County) in July 2019. HTF 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. As of July 2019, HTF Ventura County has invested $4.7 million through its revolving loan fund, creating 143 affordable apartments and homes for very-low, low- and middle- income employees, transitional age foster youth, veterans, farm workers, and the homeless.

​Housing Trust Fund Ventura County is now halfway to its $5 million year-end fundraising goal for affordable housing, thanks to $100,000 brought in during its “Your Business Depends on Housing” event May 30. 
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The nonprofit lends for short-term loans at below-market interest rates and works to increase affordable housing options in the region. 
The money raised during the event will be equally matched with state funding through Proposition 1, the Housing Programs and Veterans’ Loans bond, meaning a total boost of $200,000. 

“Our goal is to hit $5 million by December 31st and then raise the additional $5 million in 2020,” said Linda Braunschweiger, CEO of Housing Trust Fund Ventura County. “We were thrilled to raise $200,000 between donations and Prop 1’s matching fund at this event. Paired with previous donations and funding, we are now halfway to our 2019 goal.”

The eighth annual fundraising event was held at the Maravilla Gardens in Camarillo and focused on how unaffordable and insufficient housing for Ventura County employees can hurt businesses. The total amount raised at the event was announced July 31.
“We are reaching out to the business community to speak with corporations in Ventura County that are recognizing the impact of housing on their ability to attract and retain employees,” Braunschweiger said. Braunschweiger is optimistic about the organization’s ability to reach its $5 million goal, which would bring an additional $5 million in matching funds from the state. 

The resulting $10 million in funding will be lent to developers to create affordable housing. Since 2013, the nonprofit has invested $4.7 million through its loan fund, creating 143 affordable apartments and homes. 
“I am confident we are going to make it to $5 million,” Braunschweiger said. “I feel like people are recognizing now that we have got to do something to address this problem in Ventura County.”
Erin Rode covers housing and development issues for The Star. Reach her at erin.rode@vcstar.com or 805-437-0236.  

Keynote State Treasurer Fiona Ma addressed a crowd of over 200 housing advocates, business, and community leaders speaking to this year’s topic, Your Business Depends on Housing: We’re all in this together. “My vision for the State Treasurer’s Office is a proactive, solution-oriented agency that understands the dire importance of creating partnerships with the private sector,” said Treasurer Ma, who noted that she has conducted two statewide housing listening tours seeking to revamp regulations under her purview and to “ensure we help increase the production of homes in California.” Inadequate, unaffordable, and a general lack of housing for Ventura County employees, especially those in the middle- and lower-income level, is a leading factor hindering business expansion and economic growth in our community.

With increased community and business donations, HTF Ventura County can exponentially grow its revolving loan fund by leveraging State Proposition 1, the Housing Programs and Veterans’ Loans Bond, which provides a 1:1 fund matching program, up to $10 million. “Our goal is to hit $5 million by December 31st and then raise the additional $5 million in 2020,” commented Linda Braunschweiger, CEO of Housing Trust Fund Ventura County. “We were thrilled to raise $200,000 between donations and Prop 1’s matching fund at this event. Paired with previous donations and funding, we are now halfway to our 2019 goal.” 

A highlight of the evening was the unveiling of HTF Ventura County’s new logo. “We went through a well-crafted decision-making process to arrive at this logo,” stated Housing Trust Fund Ventura County Board Chair, Jennie Buckingham. “It’s amazing how all the elements have meaning and work together to truly represent who we are and what we do for affordable housing in our community.” The new logo includes a multi-level home firmly rooted to the ground to reflect fund stability as well as housing stability for individuals and families. The waves depict Ventura County while the three panels are reminiscent of multiple developments and financial charts with the final panel dipping slightly to demonstrate there is still a need. The color palette represents Ventura County from its coastal waters to its plentiful agriculture, while also symbolizing HTF Ventura County’s strength and integrity (deep blue), tranquil stability and optimism (light teal), and renewal and growth (green). The new tagline, “Everyone deserves a home,” underscores the reason HTF Ventura County exists in our community.

Housing Trust Fund Ventura County – Launched as a 501c3 nonprofit corporation in 2012, Ventura County Housing Trust Fund became Housing Trust Fund Ventura County (HTF Ventura County) in July 2019. HTF 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. As of July 2019, HTF Ventura County has invested $4.7 million through its revolving loan fund, creating 143 affordable apartments and homes for very-low, low- and middle-income employees, transitional age foster youth, veterans, farm workers, and the homeless.

We hosted our Annual Meeting on Thursday, January 25, 2018. The meeting was well-attended by 70 guests including elected officials, municipal employees, housing and supportive care entities, housing developers, financial institutions and others interested in increasing the supply of affordable housing in Ventura County. The meeting included a discussion about:

• Impact of recent state and federal housing legislation and affordable housing issues expected in 2018; by Paul Beesemyer, California Housing Partnership, Southern California Director. Highlights of his comments can be viewed with this link: pbeesemyerexcerpt.pdf
• VCHTF 2017 year-in-review and 2018 plans and goals by CEO Linda Braunschweiger and Steve Boggs, 2017 Board Chair
• Election of 2018 Board and VCHTF regular business meeting
• New Office Reception, graciously sponsored by the Ventura Investment Group, and Ribbon-cutting ceremony by the Camarillo Chamber of Commerce. 

​His career in housing began in 1996 and since then he has conducted numerous seminars and training and authored several publications, including The Tax Credit Turns Fifteen, a risk analysis of California's early Tax Credit portfolio. In addition, Paul has worked with the City of Los Angeles Housing Department to develop a comprehensive policy for the preservation of at-risk housing and has advised the City on the creation and implementation of a new preservation ordinance. 
 
Prior to joining CHPC, Paul developed affordable housing as senior project manager for the Los Angeles Community Design Center, where he managed affordable housing and community development projects serving families, seniors, and various special-needs populations. He is knowledgeable in the use of a wide range of community development financing tools, including Low Income Housing Tax Credits, tax-exempt bond financing, and a variety of public funding programs administered at the local, state, and Federal levels. Paul received a Bachelor of Arts in Landscape Architecture from the University of California, Berkeley.

​The mission of the California Housing Partnership Corporation (CHPC) is to assist nonprofit and government housing agencies to create and preserve housing affordable to lower-income households, while providing leadership on housing preservation policy and funding. 

The State Legislature created the California Housing Partnership in 1988 to help preserve California's existing supply of affordable homes and to provide leadership on affordable housing policy and resource issues. It is unique in combining on-the-ground technical assistance with advocacy leadership at the state and national level. Since then, the CHPC has worked with fellow affordable housing creators and preservers statewide to ensure that low-income Californians have the opportunity to live in a home that fosters a healthy, productive life. In partnership with nonprofit and government housing agencies, CHPC provides the expertise, technical assistance, and advocacy leadership necessary to create and preserve homes affordable to those with the fewest housing choices.

​Listen to this 30-min pod cast about the effect and impact of the Thomas Fire. Includes comments by Ventura architect Nick Deitch of Main Street Architects and Linda Braunschweiger, CEO of VCHTF.