Ventura County, CA – Housing Trust Fund Ventura County (Housing Trust Fund VC) has been named as one of 29 grantees receiving funding support from Weingart Foundation through their Unrestricted Operating Support (U.O.S.) program. Housing Trust Fund VC will receive $50,000 over two years to help with capacity building in support of the Fund’s overall mission 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.

The Weingart Foundation partners with communities across Southern California to advance racial, social and economic justice for all. To achieve this mission, the Foundation’s grantmaking program is designed to strengthen the capacity and effectiveness of nonprofit organizations, collaboratives, and coalitions working to meet essential needs, expand opportunity and eliminate structural barriers to equity by building the community power required to sustain long-term prosperity. Grant recipients, such as Housing Trust Fund VC align strongly with the Foundation’s core mission.

Weingart Foundation awarded $3.5 million in grants through this round of their U.O.S. program and over the next 12 months intends to award up to $20 million in unrestricted operating support grants to core partners.
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“Receiving this funding from Weingart Foundation is such an honor,” stated Linda Braunschweiger, CEO of Housing Trust Fund Ventura County. “COVID-19 is likely going to displace more people who will be looking for more affordable housing amid employment concerns. Now more than ever affordable workforce housing options are needed in our community and we remain committed to our promise that, “everyone deserves a home.”

Airing on KNX radio (1070 FM) is a live interview with Housing Trust Fund CEO Linda Braunschweiger about the recent formation of the Housing Land Trust Ventura County.  Listen to an introductory snippet here.

On October 14 the Ventura County STAR ran an article about the new Land Trust. 

Housing Trust Fund Ventura County is launching Housing Land Trust Ventura County. The land trust will operate as a supporting nonprofit, but is a separate entity. 

“The goal is to preserve land for affordable housing development, as this county has fewer and fewer pieces of property available for development,” said Linda Braunschweiger, CEO of Housing Trust Fund Ventura County, which is launching a community land trust as a separate nonprofit. “By taking the land cost out, it reduces the cost of the development. And hopefully that should transfer over to the folks who are renting or purchasing.”

Community land trusts are nonprofit organizations that aim to provide affordable housing in perpetuity by owning land on which single-family or multi-family homes are built. Home and apartment owners own the building, and receive a long-term land lease agreement, typically for 99 years. Separating the cost of land from the cost of housing drives down rent and home prices, making both more affordable. 

“The focus of Housing Land Trust Ventura County is going to be extremely low-income all the way up to moderate-income housing, which is tied to the mission of the trust fund, which is providing affordable housing. Our focus is to support efforts to build more affordable housing, through both multi- and single-family homes,” Braunschweiger said.

Braunschweiger says Housing Land Trust Ventura County is expected to be operating as a separate nonprofit by the end of the year. The land trust is already accepting land donations through Housing Trust Fund. 

Click here for the full VC STAR article.

Recently, HTF Ventura County was notified by the U.S. Department of the Treasury that it is one of 73 recipients of a Technical Assistance grant. The $125,000 grant doubles to $250,000 due to State Proposition 1’s fund matching program. “Earlier this year we set a lofty $5 million fundraising goal by the end of 2019,” stated Linda Braunschweiger, CEO of Housing Trust Fund Ventura County. “With this newest grant we are now within striking distance of achieving that goal.” In 2017, HTF Ventura County became a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), which certifies private and non-profit financial institutions that are 100% dedicated to delivering responsible, affordable lending to help low-income and other disadvantaged people join the economic mainstream. Being a CDFI opens new funding opportunities for HTF Ventura County, allowing for program expansion to help better serve Ventura County residents in need of affordable housing. Below are three such projects. 

Ventura’s Willett Ranch, located at 54 and 55 Willett Street, is part of the new Solana Heights residential community. It will include the new construction of 50 one- and two-bedroom apartments for extremely low income seniors, with 15 apartments designated for permanent supportive housing for homeless households. The community will include on-site supportive services such as community gardening and meals, as well as targeted workshops and classes attractive to seniors. HTF Ventura County provided a $1.4 million acquisition and predevelopment loan to the Housing Authority of the City of San Buenaventura to make this project a reality. It is estimated that 75-80 seniors will become residents of Willett Ranch. Construction is set to begin in November 2019.

Ventura’s El Portal Building, located at 1238-1288 North Ventura Avenue, is a two-story building constructed in 1929. After falling into disrepair, Triad Properties, a nonprofit corporation associated with the Housing Authority of the City of San Buenaventura purchased the mixed-use property with plans to reconfigure 33 current living spaces, storage and commercial space into 28 to 30 more suitable apartments for homeless individuals, those with special needs, and very low income adults. HTF Ventura County provided a $700,000 construction loan to kick-off the project. It is estimated that 28-38 individuals will become residents of El Portal, which is set to begin reconstruction after all health and safety standards are brought up to code. 

​Since the Housing Trust Fund Ventura County's inception in 2011, as a 501c3 nonprofit corporation, it has become the local trusted leader in helping to increase affordable housing options throughout Ventura County. The HTF leverages public-private partnerships to provide low-cost, flexible loans early in the housing development cycle. As of July 2019, HTFVC has invested $8 million through its revolving loan fund, creating 301 affordable apartments and homes for very-low, low- and middle income employees, transitional age foster youth, veterans, farm workers, and the homeless.
 
The organization has set a goal to raise the first $5 million of the funds required for the matching grant by the end of 2019 and already has close to $2.5MM committed.  Linda Braunschweiger, CEO, said: "We need everyone's help to raise the $10MM match from the County, all ten cities, financial institutions, businesses, and individuals.  As a community, we must step up financially to ensure we don't leave any of the $10MM of tax payers' dollars in Sacramento."  HTFVC has a sizable pipeline of affordable housing projects currently being developed throughout the County that are in need of funding.  
 
To learn more about how you can help with the $10 million matching campaign, please contact Linda Braunschweiger at 805-407-2455 or visit the website at www.HousingTrustFundVC.org.

​CENTER FOR NONPROFIT LEADERSHIP
Posted on August 29, 2019
https://www.callutheran.edu/centers/nonprofit/news.html?id=13856

​​The basics
Linda Braunschweiger, CEO
Housing Trust Fund Ventura County

HTFVC’s mission is to support more housing choices, by generating and leveraging financial resources, working in partnership with the public, private, and non-profit sectors throughout Ventura County.  Since the HTFVC’s inception in 2011, as a 501c3 nonprofit corporation, it has become the local trusted leader in helping to increase affordable housing options throughout Ventura County. The HTF leverages public-private partnerships to provide low-cost, flexible loans early in the housing development cycle. As of July 2019, HTF has invested $8.5 million through its revolving loan fund, creating 305 affordable apartments and homes for very-low, low- and moderate income employees, transitional age foster youth, veterans, farm workers, and the homeless.

What’s happening at the Housing Trust Fund Ventura County?
Housing Trust Fund Ventura County has a rare opportunity to bring a $10 million dollar matching grant from California State Proposition 1 to Ventura County to fund new affordable housing development.  Our community continues to be one of most expensive places to live in the Country.  Housing prices are driving the cost of living out of reach for many residents of Ventura County and having a significant impact on the economic stability of our community.  We are asking individuals, businesses, foundations, and government to invest in HTFVC and Be the Match! Recently we completed a rebranding campaign, changed our name slightly to Housing Trust Fund Ventura County, and have a beautiful new logo.

What about the Housing Trust Fund Ventura County is particularly special to you, what would you like our readers to know?
Our new tag line is: Everyone deserves a home! This is the very reason my dedicated Board of Directors, staff and I work so hard to raise lending capital so affordable homes in Ventura County can be experienced by all in need.  The feeling of giving a family who once lived in horrid conditions the keys to their new home is an amazing feeling.  Lives are changed.

Why did you think it was important to become an organizational member and/or donor of the​Center for Nonprofit Leadership?
The Center for Nonprofit Leadership provides top notch training specific to the issues nonprofits deal with daily.  The staff is knowledgeable about our challenges, know how to find answers to our questions, and can be a shoulder to cry on when we need support.  The Center is an amazing asset in our community. 

What do you value most about your membership?
Our membership provides the opportunity to network, collaborate, learn from, and celebrate milestones with my fellow nonprofit leaders.

Anything else you’d like to add?
Everyone deserves a home!

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.