VENTURA : Affordable Housing Projects Supported

The Ventura Planning Commission has recommended that the City Council approve three affordable housing developments proposed for the city’s east side.

The projects would provide 403 three- and four-bedroom houses for buyers who qualify for the city’s Affordable Housing Program.

The commission approved a 150-house development near Wells Road proposed by KNM Development; 100 houses on the east side of Saticoy Avenue near Cabrillo Village proposed by Wittenberg/Livingston Development; and a 153-house development on the west side of Cabrillo Village proposed by Affordable Communities Inc.

As affordable housing, the projects are exempt from the building moratorium that was imposed because of the city’s water shortage, but Planning Commissioner Marilyn Viles voted against all three projects because of the city’s water problems.

A standing-room-only crowd attended the Planning Commission meeting Tuesday in support of the proposed developments.

“It shows that we need affordable housing,” said Lynn Jacobs, president of Affordable Communities. “I have plans to build 153 homes, and I have a waiting list of 3,000 people who want to buy them.”

To qualify for the residences, a potential buyer may earn no more than 110% of Ventura County’s median income, or about $48,000 a year for a family of four, Planning Manager David Valeska said.

“The program allows qualified buyers the chance to buy a three-bedroom home at about half the normal selling price,” Valeska said.

There are also restrictions to guarantee that each house will remain affordable for 20 years past its initial purchase.

“The maximum price of each home goes up with the Consumer Price Index, which is about 5% a year right now. The city is on each home’s title, so we can resell the homes to other qualified buyers who fall within in the income guidelines for the next 20 years,” Valeska said.