PORT HUENEME : House Panel OKs Navy Projects

A key congressional committee has approved $28.4 million for new construction projects on Ventura County’s two Navy bases, including $11 million to ease a housing shortage for Navy enlisted personnel.

The House Appropriations Committee approved $11 million to build 100 family housing units at either the Point Mugu Naval Air Station or the Naval Construction Battalion Center at Port Hueneme. The Navy is conducting studies to see which site would be most appropriate for the new units.

“It is definitely needed to ease our housing problems,” said Harry Lee, a spokesman at Point Mugu. “We have 348 applicants waiting for our housing units. Our waiting list is anywhere from one month to 18 months long.”

The committee, finishing its work late Wednesday night, also approved money for construction projects at the Port Hueneme base.

They include $2 million for an addition to the child-care center, $6.9 million for new bachelor enlisted quarters and $8.3 million for a new headquarters building.

“We are very pleased to get it,” said Connie Taylor, spokeswoman at Port Hueneme.

She said the two bases need about 1,000 housing units to take care of enlisted Navy personnel who have trouble affording the area’s high rental rates on Navy salaries.

In announcing the approval, Rep. Robert J. Lagomarsino (R-Ventura) said the decision reflects an endorsement of naval activity in the county at a time of overall defense cutbacks.

“I’m especially pleased at the emphasis on improving the quality of life for families assigned to the base.”