MOORPARK : Council Seeks New Bids for Housing

Hoping to get the best deal possible, the Moorpark City Council is asking for proposals to build 50 homes near Gisler Field for low-income families.

The council rejected bids of $1.6 million and $1.4 million to build the project, hoping for better offers the next time.

The Cabrillo Economic Development Corp., a nonprofit organization that builds low-income housing throughout the county, made the $1.4 million bid and requested that the homes be first offered as rental units and then, after 15 years, be made available for sale.

As rentals, the project would bring in state and federal grant money, said Rodney Fernandez, the group’s director. Fernandez argued that the city desperately needs affordable rental units.

But the council voted 3 to 2 against that plan.

“The intent of the project was always to build for-sale affordable housing,” Councilman Patrick Hunter said.

Hunter also made the motion to open up the process to other builders.

“We want the most economically efficient project that is possible,” Hunter said.

The deadline for submitting new bids is April 5, Hunter said.