Group Opposes Housing Project

The mayor, a former council member and the Libertarian Party have come out against a county proposal to build a 24-unit affordable housing complex on Patricia Street.

Critics have blasted Ventura County Area Housing Authority officials for proceeding with plans for two dozen western Simi Valley apartment units, which would rent for below-market rates.

At issue is the authority not placing the project up for a citywide vote, as required by state law.

“Basically, the housing authority seemed to be thinking that all they had to do is post a notice and, unless interested parties go get petitions to put it on the ballot, they don’t have to put it on the ballot,” said former Councilwoman Sandi Webb, who is a Libertarian.

Webb said Libertarian Party officials have threatened to sue the agency if it goes forward with such projects without putting them on the ballot.

“Different government bodies were coming in and building slums, so this measure was put in place and it has worked well,” Webb said. “If they want to put 100% affordable housing in place, it has to go to a vote.”

Mayor Bill Davis became upset with the housing agency for neglecting to seek the blessing of city residents.

“This one really set me off in a hurry,” Davis said. “There’s rules and regulations and I think they should have to live by them just like the city.”

Last week, Area Housing Authority officials suggested during a meeting of the City Council’s affordable housing subcommittee that the project could move forward without such a vote.

“We believe that there are some alternatives [to a vote],” said Douglas Tapking, executive director of the housing authority. “[Davis] doesn’t buy into that argument. That’s fine. What we wanted to do was explore that with him.”

Tapking said the meeting was simply intended to discuss whether affordable housing was the best use for the Patricia Street site and if it were feasible.

But Tapking said the price of the project, which would be at least $2.5 million, is considered too expensive to charge target rents as low as $700.