Council OKs Plan for Affordable Homes

The City Council this week approved a tentative plan for an affordable housing development at Ojai Avenue and South Fulton Street.

“This is a unique project,” said Bill Prince, community development director, explaining that affordable housing seldom takes the form of single-family homes.

Ojai residents will be first in line for the houses, which likely will be priced between $120,000 and $140,000.

Under the Ojai land use plan, the city has a mandate to build no more than 14 new homes per year, Prince said, but the city has not used its annual allotment over the years--and has a surplus of 76 unused homes.

The council is sending the plan back to the planning department for modifications, including adapting two of the 27 lots on the site for parking and recreation areas.

The original plan was submitted by Cabrillo Economic Development Corp., which specializes in affordable housing.

Cabrillo provides financial assistance to potential homeowners, and the city has committed $500,000 of its $1 million in redevelopment money to help with the project.

Residents already frustrated with traffic conditions in and out of the city during rush-hour say this project and any others would only worsen the situation.