Camino de Salud Groudbreaking. Photos courtesy of Cabrillo Economic Development Corporation (Cabrillo EDC). SEE MORE PHOTOS BELOW.
VENTURA COUNTY — Cabrillo Economic Development Corporation (Cabrillo EDC) on June 5 celebrated the groundbreaking of Camino De Salud, a 49-unit supportive affordable housing development in the unincorporated Ojai Valley community of Mira Monte. Camino De Salud will reserve half of its units for residents who are experiencing homelessness and have been high health users with the remaining units serving residents earning 50 percent or less of the area median income.
“It’s truly a pleasure to be here in the beautiful Ojai Valley to celebrate the groundbreaking of Camino de Salud. A project whose very name reflects what the community stands for: health, opportunity and a pathway forward,” said Victoria Brady, Chief Executive Officer. “We’re building opportunity, we’re building a stronger, more connected community.”
Speakers included Cabrillo EDC Board Vice President Alfredo Martinez, Premier America; California State Assemblymember Steve Bennett, District 38; Deputy Director Jenny Cho, Department of Housing and Community Development; Chief Executive Officer Dr. Sevet Johnson, County of Ventura Executive Office; Chief Executive Officer Linda Braunschweiger, Housing Trust Fund Ventura County; and Vice President & Relationships Manager Ben Scott, Montecito Bank & Trust.
“We have to think of ourselves as a community that needs to keep elevating the importance and the value of governments, the people, the representatives of people, investing in public housing,” said Assemblymember Bennett. “Projects for our most vulnerable, the people on the streets, the people that we have to do better for, require going out there and doing God’s work.”
The Ojai Valley recorded 44 people experiencing homelessness in the county’s 2023 point-in-time count. Camino De Salud will provide 49 units of supportive and affordable housing to a community where, according to the Center for Economic Research and Forecasting, the broader county has fallen more than 60 percent below the national average in new home production this decade.
Located at 11432 North Ventura Avenue, Camino De Salud is designed to help residents stabilize and rebuild. The three-story, elevator-served building will offer studio units with full appliance packages along with on-site supportive services through a case manager and community partners. Additional amenities include a community garden, meeting space, laundry facilities, charging stations and bike storage.
“When people have stable housing, they’re more likely to access preventive care, they can manage their chronic conditions, and they can avoid repeated hospital visits. This is what helps a community grow,” said Linda Braunschweiger, CEO, Housing Trust Fund Ventura County. “It takes a leader, and Cabrillo EDC is that leader.” The Housing Trust Fund contributed a $5 million construction loan to Camino de Salud, with $ 2.5 million coming from the State of California as part of a Proposition 1 match.
Cabrillo EDC thanked the lenders whose commitment made Camino De Salud possible: the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD), the County of Ventura, Montecito Bank & Trust, and Housing Trust Fund Ventura County. General contracting services are being provided by McCarthy Companies.
Closing remarks were provided by Daniel Dang, Interim Director of Real Estate Development, Cabrillo EDC. “We hope that our residents sleep a little easier; that they no longer have to choose between food and medicine; that they have some more choices and agency in their lives; that they have more opportunities to thrive; and that Camino de Salud is their road to health,” said Dang.
About Cabrillo Economic Development Corporation
Cabrillo EDC is the largest developer of affordable homes in Ventura County. Cabrillo’s success is the result of decades of passion, dedication and vision. With a mission of providing comprehensive housing services and community economic development activities, Cabrillo facilitates self-sufficiency for individuals and families who are lacking most in opportunity. Since its founding in 1981, the organization has been committed to providing affordable housing solutions and creating sustainable communities for those in need. Cabrillo EDC works with a range of stakeholders, including government agencies, private sector partners, and community organizations, to address the housing needs of underserved populations.
Victoria Brady, Chief Executive Officer of Cabrillo Economic Development Corp. and Assemblymember Steve Bennett (D-Ventura).
Victoria Brady and Chief Executive Officer Linda Braunschweiger, Housing Trust Fund Ventura County.
Deputy Director Jenny Cho, Department of Housing and Community Development.