Housing Trust Fund Ventura announces $352,000 in funding for new affordable housing projects

Funds will double to $704,000 due to State Proposition 1’s matching grant program 

Ventura County, CA – Housing Trust Fund Ventura County (Housing Trust Fund VC) announced today that it is the recipient of two grants totaling a combined $352,000. These funds support the nonprofit’s continued work towards housing equity and rental market affordability within Ventura County. The grants will double to

$704,000 thanks to California’s Proposition 1 with its 1:1 fund matching grant program that provides funding to Housing Trust Funds for the development of rental housing with a focus on low to extremely low-income housing units.

The City of Santa Paula granted $250,000 to Housing Trust Fund VC demonstrating their leadership and foresight into the growing need for affordable rental housing in Santa Paula. This grant will create housing stability and positive change for low income individuals and families, the homeless, veterans, people with disabilities, and youth transitioning from foster care. Past supportive funding from the City of Santa Paula has resulted in three major successful developments, Citrus Grove Apartments, Oakwood Court Apartments and Citricos de Santa Paula, amounting to a total of 25 units of senior housing in Santa Paula.

The second grant received by Housing Trust Fund VC is for $102,000 and comes through the Ventura County Community Foundation (VCCF) as part of its Farmworker Housing Fund. After many years of advocacy, the nonprofit is pleased to receive these funds which will be leveraged for the continued development of farm worker housing units in Ventura County. In the fall of last year, Housing Trust Fund VC funded an $850,000 pre- development loan to People’s Self-Help Housing Corporation for the Cypress Place at Garden City development in Oxnard, providing 150 residential units some specifically for farm workers. This past February, the Ventura County Board of Supervisors approved the development of the Somis Ranch Farm Worker Housing complex, with a proposed 360 apartments for farm workers and their families.

Linda Braunschweiger, CEO of Housing Trust Fund and recently recognized as one of the Top 50 Women in Business by the Pacific Coast Business Times, emphasizes the powerful impact safe and affordable homes has on farm workers and their families. “Our goal is to foster harmonious communities that cultivate diversity and economic empowerment,” commented Braunschweiger. “Farm workers contribute to the fabric of Ventura County, which adds to our economy’s prosperity. We owe it to these hard-working members of our community to create equitable home options in neighborhoods that provide safe routes to school, easy access to public transportation and healthcare, because where we live, shapes how we live.”