Over $3.2 million in a construction loan provided by Housing Trust Fund VC

On the site of the oldest and largest public housing property in the City of Ventura sits a new, brightly colored three-story development that represents the next stage of affordable housing in Ventura County. Westview Village is a 20-acre dream that began in 1952. The former home to 180 public housing units, a community center, and the Housing Authority of the City of San Buenaventura office for decades, Westview is now home to hundreds of families.

photo courtesy of: The Housing Authority of the City of San Buenaventura

After more than seventy years, the Housing Authority of the City of San Buenaventura (HACSB) is redeveloping Westview Village into 286 affordable rental apartments and 34 for-sale homes in four phases to serve a mixed-income community and the continued need for affordable housing in our county. HACSB developed the new units with BRIDGE Housing serving as co-developer.

Westview Village began construction in January 2017 and the first three phases are now complete. The project's 286 rental apartments are guaranteed to remain affordable for at least 55 years.

Housing Trust Fund Ventura County provided early funding in the form of a $3,225,000 construction loan for the second phase of Westview's redevelopment. The loan was funded, in part, by the State of California Prop 1 Local Housing Trust Fund match program.

Phase II of Westview Village is situated on a two-acre lot at 247 West Warner Street and is a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) conversion. RAD is a key element of HUD’s strategy to preserve affordable rental housing for those with very low and extremely low incomes. This initiative aims to maintain the nation's existing rental housing, enhance efficiency, and foster strong, stable communities by ensuring long-term affordability and sustainability of the residents of Westview Village.

photo courtesy of: The Housing Authority of the City of San Buenaventura

Westview's Phase II is replacing 10 substandard public housing units with 50 new multifamily apartments, including 44 one-bedroom and 6 two-bedroom apartments, with five units designated for individuals experiencing homelessness. Phase II has officially reached 95% occupancy for its 50 new affordable multi-family apartments.

Along with the housing, Westview II includes three community rooms, an early childhood education center, an on-site public park, a community-building rooftop garden, a commercial kitchen for event hosting, and on-site management and community services offices.

Ribbon Cutting draws over 200 community members

On June 18th, Westview II hosted a ribbon cutting to celebrate the official opening of its second phase. Several members of the Housing Trust Fund VC Board were in attendance. Jeffrey “Jeff” Lambert, CEO of the Housing Authority of the City of San Buenaventura led the festivities and our community was honored to welcome U.S. Congressman Salud Carbajal to the momentous occasion. The event highlighted the impact of public, private, and governmental collaborative efforts to make meaningful changes within communities by providing affordable homes in increasingly unaffordable areas.

“Ventura County has a rich history of support and collaboration and we are excited to continue that legacy at Westview Village,” says Linda Braunschweiger, CEO of Housing Trust Fund Ventura County and Housing Land Trust Ventura County, “Each of the four phases is innovative and will provide necessary access to housing in our community. RAD is a unique and effective way to redevelop quickly and affordably.”

From Left to Right: Jeffrey “Jeff” Lambert, CEO, Housing Authority of the City of San Buenaventura; Christy Madden, Deputy Executive Officer, County of Ventura; Linda Braunschweiger, CEO, Housing Trust Fund VC & Housing Land Trust VC; Jennifer Harkey, Program Management Analyst, Continuum of Care, County of Ventura; Tracy McAulay, HTFVC Chair & Management Analyst, County of Ventura, Community Development Division; Jennie Buckingham, HTFVC Boardmember & Senior Planner, City of San Buenaventura, Community Development Dept; Karen Flock, HTFVC Treasurer & Deputy Director Real Estate Development, Housing Authority of the City of San Buenaventura; U.S. Congressman Salud Carbajal (California’s 24th District); Ken Trigueiro, HTFVC Vice Chair & CEO/President People’s Self-Help Housing

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