Habitat for Humanity to Build on City Lot

City officials in Camarillo have found a good use for a corner lot that for years has sat unused: an affordable home for a working-class family.

The city has agreed to make the parcel at the corner of Las Posas Road and East Loop Drive available to the nonprofit Habitat for Humanity.

Although the final contract has not been signed, the charitable home-building organization has agreed to build a single-family home on the property and make it available to a qualified buyer.

“I had always said the only thing this lot would be good for is a skateboard park,” Councilwoman Charlotte Craven said. “But if anyone can find a way to make it work, it’s Habitat for Humanity.”

The nonprofit organization uses volunteer labor to build homes for needy families. In turn, the families agree to donate a certain amount of “sweat equity” to the organization to help build future homes.

Camarillo acquired the property several years ago during a road-widening project, but city officials have since declared that section of land to be surplus.

The City Council agreed to sell the property for $50,000 to the Camarillo Community Development Commission, which will deed the property to Habitat for Humanity.

By law the commission must use 20% of its income for low-income housing projects.

Ken Pyburn, Habitat for Humanity executive director, was grateful for the donation. “We had a wonderful experience with the first Camarillo house we dedicated earlier this year,” he said. “We’re looking forward to another project.”

For information about being considered for purchasing the yet-unbuilt home, call 485-6065.