Lisa Carlos (HACSB Commissioner), from left, Anthony Valdez (City of SB, Deputy Administrator), Pat Wheatley (Chair, HACSB Commission), Tammy Sims Johnson (SB Foundation), Jackie Carrera (SB Foundation), Rob Fredericks (Executive Director/CEO, HACSB), Randy Rowse (mayor), Gregg Hart, Eric Friedman (City Council), Gary Hopkins (Banc of California), Benjamin Peterson (Deputy District Director for Senator Limon), Joey Samora (HACSB Commission) Courtesy photo.
SANTA BARBARA — The Housing Authority of the City of Santa Barbara (HACSB) marked a major milestone with the commencement of its latest affordable housing development — an adaptive reuse project that will transform the former Quality Inn at 3055 De La Vina Street into permanent supportive housing.
The redevelopment exemplified HACSB’s creative approach to addressing Santa Barbara’s critical housing shortage by repurposing existing properties into high-quality, service-enriched affordable housing. Neighbors, local officials, community partners, and housing advocates gathered to celebrate this milestone achievement.
WHO: Speakers included representatives from:
· The Housing Authority of the City of Santa Barbara
· The City of Santa Barbara
· State and local elected officials
WHAT: The Housing Authority of the City of Santa Barbara (HACSB) held a Project Commencement ceremony for its newest affordable housing development — an innovative adaptive reuse project transforming the former Quality Inn at 3055 De La Vina Street into permanent supportive housing.
WHEN: Thursday, November 6, 2025 | 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
WHERE: 3055 De La Vina Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93105
PROJECT BACKGROUND
The 3055 De La Vina Street project is converting a former motel into 32 studio apartments and one on-site manager’s unit serving extremely low-income residents, including individuals experiencing or at risk of homelessness. Residents will receive rental assistance through the Section 8 program, ensuring they pay no more than 30 percent of their income toward rent.
The Housing Authority was awarded approximately $5.9 million in Homekey+ funding from the California Department of Housing and Community Development, a $6 million loan from the City of Santa Barbara, and $5 million from the Banc of California to support acquisition and conversion. HACSB also expressed gratitude to the Santa Barbara Foundation for assisting with the original acquisition with $1.5 million.
The property’s adaptive reuse will retain much of the existing structure while incorporating Spanish Colonial–inspired architecture, landscaped outdoor spaces, and a new community room for resident gatherings and supportive services.
Located within walking distance of transit lines, grocery stores, parks, and pharmacies, the site offers ideal access to neighborhood amenities, helping residents integrate into the broader Santa Barbara community. Completion is anticipated in mid-2026.
WHY IT MATTERS
This project demonstrates HACSB’s ongoing commitment to creating sustainable, inclusive, and dignified housing solutions through adaptive reuse — a strategy that significantly reduces construction time and cost compared to traditional new builds. It also aligns with the City’s continued emphasis on repurposing underutilized commercial properties to expand the supply of affordable housing.
About the Housing Authority of the City of Santa Barbara
The Housing Authority of the City of Santa Barbara is a local public agency created for the purpose of providing safe, decent, and quality affordable housing and supportive services to eligible persons with limited incomes, through a variety of federal, state, local, and private resources. Since 1969, the Housing Authority has developed and/or secured over 4,000 units of affordable rental housing for Santa Barbara. For more information, please visit www.hacsb.org.