Ventura County Community Development Corp. Community Matters Newsletter – July 2022

July 2022
HOMEOWNERSHIP CONFERENCE
We were thrilled to gather with you and hundreds of other Southern Californians last month! Close to 1,000 individuals registered for VCCDC’s virtual Homeownership Conference this year. It was a day filled with learning, networking and fun. We are so thankful to our Presenting Sponsor, Citibank, for helping us make this event possible for our community. If you missed out on any workshops and panels you can access them on our YouTube page! We have versions in Spanish and American Sign Language.
PARTNER SPOTLIGHT
We are grateful for our generous partners who are committed to investing in the communities we serve. Thanks to their support we can ensure that VCCDC continues assisting local individuals and families to find a place to call home.
Thank you to CIT Bank for the generous $50,000 contribution! With the help of CIT Bank, VCCDC can continue to make homeownership a reality for the low and moderate income families we serve.
2ND ANNUAL AWARDS CEREMONY
LEADING PEOPLE HOME
Many people and organizations have worked tirelessly over the years to build the VCCDC we know today and our Award Ceremony is a special occasion to honor four special leaders who were key supporters of VCCDC throughout its 21 year history.
We honor Rodney Fernandez, who championed the cause for affordable workforce housing in Ventura County for over 50 years; Ernest Baskette, Jr., who made it his personal and professional mission to affect transformative repositioning of the economic status of families and the revitalization of the communities in which they reside; Michael McGuire, a man of great compassion for those in need who helped establish housing and rehabilitation facilities for the developmentally disabled, mentally ill, addicted, and for homeless families and who has left a special space in the community and hearts of many that will long be felt and Lynn Jacobs, for her legacy shaping the landscape through Ventura County Affordable Communities as well as CA’s Secretary of Business Consumer and Housing Agency under Governor Schwarzenegger’s administration.
During the Awards Ceremony we will present the following four awards to people who are making significant contributions to our community through their time, actions, talents and dedication:
  • Rodney Fernandez Founder’s Award – Excellence in Visionary Leadership
  • Michael McGuire Award – Excellence in Community Partnership
  • Ernest Baskette, Jr. Award – Excellence in Community Support
  • Lynn L. Jacobs Award – Excellence in Lifetime Leadership
Along with the award presentation, the evening will feature powerful client testimonials and gourmet hors d’oeuvres with a buffet dinner.
Keynote Speaker
We are thrilled to announce this year’s Keynote Speaker will be Lourdes Castro Ramírez, Secretary of the Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency. Secretary Castro Ramírez leads and oversees 11 entities responsible for expanding affordable housing, developing comprehensive solutions to end homelessness, guarding civil rights protections, regulating banking and financial services, and strengthening consumer protections with the licensing of nearly 4 million working professionals. Read more
Sponsorship packages are available. Please contact us for further details.
SERVICES & PROGRAMS
HOMEBUYER ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS
From Here Forward Program
Made possible with funds from the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD), the From Here Forward Deferred Loan Program, offers up to $100,000 in home buying assistance for low-to moderate-income borrowers who were physically or economically displaced by the Thomas Fire or Woolsey Fire in Ventura County. Were you temporarily unemployed due to the fires? Was the property your resided in damaged by the fires? Did your experience an increase in rent after the fires? If so, you may qualify. Click below to schedule a free consultation!
CalHFA Forgivable Equity Builder Loan
Home equity has proven to be one of the strongest ways for families to build and pass on intergenerational wealth and CalHFA is committed to improving equitable access to homeownership for all Californians. The Forgivable Equity Builder Loan gives first-time homebuyers a head start on this with immediate equity in their homes via a loan of up to 10% of the purchase price of the home. The loan is forgivable if the borrower continuously occupies the home as their primary residence for five years
The Forgivable Equity Builder Loan is a forgivable subordinate loan program that may only be used with a CalHFA first mortgage.
California Dream for All Program
Gov. Newsom and the California Legislature recently allocated $500 million for the new California Dream for All Program, which aims to address affordability and help families create generational wealth. The State Treasurer’s Office and CA Forward — in partnership with California Community Builders, along with real estate and municipal advisors HR&A Advisors and CSG Advisors — developed the California Dream for All homeownership program, which was included in the legislative budget by Senate Pro Tem Toni Atkins. The program assists first-time homebuyers by providing 17% toward the purchase price of their first home, thus eliminating the need for a large down payment, and in some cases potentially covering the entirety of the down payment. Homebuyers would also receive extensive mortgage counseling. Once the homebuyer refinances or sells the home, the state would be reimbursed for the 17 percent share of the home value. The funds would then be reinvested into the program, thus helping more first-time homebuyers purchase a home and begin developing wealth.
The program has not been implemented yet so no details are available as to how you can apply so stay tuned for more details!
For details on our other down payment assistance program visit www.vccdc.org/lending or schedule a free phone consultation:
CA COVID-19 RENTAL RELIEF PROGRAM
As an organization a part of the Local Partner Network, VCCDC has helped applicants complete their applications either over the phone or in person, and helped ensure that language, literacy and technology were not barriers to participating. Over $5 billion has been distributed by state and local programs and more than 1.2 million residents have received assistance in over 500,000 households. So far, VCCDC has been able to distribute more than $1 million in assistance to local renters. If you need help with an application already in progress contact us today (new applications are no longer accepted as of 3/31/22).
CA MORTGAGE RELIEF PROGRAM
The California Mortgage Relief Program uses federal Homeowner Assistance Funds to help homeowners get caught up on their housing payments. The program is absolutely free and the funds do not need to be repaid. The California Mortgage Relief Program is part of the state’s Housing is Key initiative. The California Mortgage Relief Program has recently expanded! Now covering:
1. Past due property taxes
2. Higher income limits
3. Open to homeowners who missed payments in 2022.
VCCDC is here to help you apply! Schedule an appointment today by clicking below and selecting “CA Mortgage Relief Program”.
Have you suffered a financial setback and are worried you may fall behind on your mortgage payments? Are you facing foreclosure? Our Homeownership Specialists can help you determine what options you may have available with your lender, explain the foreclosure process and provide you with additional informational resources. Our HUD-certified Homeownership Specialists will provide you with the information and guidance you will need to communicate with your lender. Click below and find the “Home Preservation” service.
CLASSES AND EVENTS
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HOMEBUYER EDUCATION WORKSHOP
Our next workshop is scheduled for tomorrow, July 23rd! Get the information you need to make the best home buying decisions! Learn about credit, budgeting, mortgage loans, homebuying assistance programs, the escrow process, home insurance, and more directly from experts in the field!
HOMESMART WORKSHOPS
CHRISTMAS IN JULY: PREPARING YOUR FINANCES FOR THE HOLIDAYS
The sun is out and summer is in full swing so you’re probably not thinking about reindeer, stockings, and cold weather! But July is the perfect time to start budgeting for the holidays. If you start budgeting now you can relieve some of that end-of-year stress. Join us on Thursday, July 28th at 6pm for a free online workshop in partnership with the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation to get your finances ready for the busiest time of the year.
ENGERGY EFFICIENCY TIPS TO HELP YOU SAVE $$$
Learn how you can save up to 40% on utility bills simply by improving energy efficiency in your home! Plus learn how you can receive assistance with energy efficiency projects like replacing windows, weather-stripping doors, adding insulation, minor home repairs and installing more efficient appliances and products. You’ll also obtain information about programs can assist with utility payments, water bill assistance, and more. Guest speaker from Community Action of Ventura County.
BOOST YOUR CREDIT
Having low credit scores can have a major impact on your life – from not qualifying for a mortgage or a car loan to paying higher interest rates and fees. The good news is there are steps you can take to give your credit a boost! Learn about the tips and tools you can use to establish or improve your credit directly from VCCDC’s HUD-certified credit experts!
HOW TO HIRE A CONTRACTOR
You’re ready to embark on a new home project and need to hire a contractor to complete the job. But where do you begin the search? What do you ask? Learn what you should do before hiring a contractor, issues that can arise when using non-licensed labor, scams to watch for, how to file a complaint and more!
Our Mission:
“To strengthen and sustain vibrant communities by empowering and enabling low-to-moderate income individuals and families to build wealth through education and homeownership with a primary focus on serving low-to-moderate income clients”.
VCCDC
2231 Sturgis Road, Suite A
Oxnard, CA 93030
Monday – Friday
9:00am to 6:00pm
(closed for lunch 12:30pm -1:30pm)
Phone:(805) 273-7800
Fax: (805) 604-1359
All loans subject to approval. Certain conditions & fees apply. This is not an offer to extend credit to any individual who may be entitled to a more complete disclosure per RESPA, TILA, HOEPA or any other more applicable federal, state, or local law or regulation. Rates, terms, fees, products, programs and equity requirements are subject to change without notice. For qualified borrowers only. Down payment assistance available for eligible first time homebuyers, not all applicants will qualify for all sources of down payment. This is not intended as a solicitation if you are currently working with another brokerage. VCCDC is a mortgage broker licensed with the California Dept. of Real Estate #01521885; NMLS #347041