Habitat for Humanity of Ventura County is seeking to develop a townhome project on the corner of Patricia Avenue and Duncan Street comprising 10 affordable units to house low-income families.

Stacy Swanson, executive director of Habitat Ventura County, said the idea for the project, which would be the agency's largest multifamily development ever in the county, is in its earliest stages.

"We're still very much in the conversation stage with the city," Swanson said. "But we're thrilled that the city is even open to the conversation because that means they are feeling good about Habitat."

The affordable housing subcommittee reviewed the conceptual proposal Aug. 11. Habitat is proposing to acquire the nearly ¾acre property at 1590 Patricia Avenue and build a 100 percent affordable project.

Rob Bruce, deputy director of housing and special projects for the city, said the subcommittee was okay with the proposal but that it might find resistance from the City Council, which has been concerned about the stigma of too many affordable units in one area—particularly on Patricia Avenue.

However, Swanson said the fact that the development would be an ownership project where the residents have a vested interest in maintaining the property and the neighborhood would eliminate that concern.

"The reluctance with putting all low-income (on Patricia) stems from experience with low-income rentals," Swanson said. "We have built 44 homes in the county and we have not had a single one turn over. They are still owned by their original owners, we've had no foreclosures—our track record is really good."

Councilmember Glen Becerra, who sits on the subcommittee, said he couldn't think of a better organization to build such a project because of the way Habitat prepares its selected families for home ownership.

Becerra noted that the proposal meets the council's objectives for that area of the city.

"It meets the newer direction we've started to go, to provide home ownership in that area, not just apartments for rent. So there's a buyin to the community by the residents who live there," Becerra said.

The affordable development would also help the city meet the state-mandated Regional Housing Needs Assessment, which requires cities to plan for housing needs for all income levels.

Currently, the only very lowincome development in the works in the city is the Habitat project at the corner of Sequoia and Royal avenues.

According to Bruce, a townhome project for the Patricia Avenue site was approved three years ago but because of the downturn in the housing market, the property owner cannot afford to build and sell the units. The owner is offering the property for $1.1 million.

Swanson said Habitat hopes to work in partnership with the city to use redevelopment funds to buy the property.

"If we were to make an offer right now, it would just be contingent upon city funding being available," she said.

Both Swanson and Becerra said the project could have a positive impact on the neighborhood.

"Affordable housing is one of the areas in the city—especially in these economic times—that the city can improve on as far as the number and quality of the housing being provided," Becerra said. "I think Habitat has a model that really works."

Swanson said she is excited that the city would utilize Habitat to provide more affordable housing.

"We would like to house as many families as we can," she said. "If all the stars align, it looks like it would be very exciting."

To learn more about Habitat and the path they offer to home ownership, visit www.habitatventura.org.

Acorn Bits

•Habitat for Humanity of Ventura County is a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian ministry that works in partnership with volunteers to build affordable housing to help eliminate poverty housing and homelessness in Ventura County. Volunteers provide labor, and Habitat for Humanity raises funds from individuals, foundations, corporations, businesses, faith-based organizations and grants to build the houses.