Ventura Housing unveils future developments and celebrates resident success at Second Annual State of Ventura Housing Breakfast

VENTURA — On Wednesday, Oct. 21, Ventura Housing welcomed 160 residents, community leaders, elected officials and partners to The Livery at Rumfish y Vino for its Second Annual State of Ventura Housing Breakfast, raising about $42,000 for ATLAS, the agency’s philanthropic arm. Centered around the theme “Investing in Families. Strengthening Futures.,” the morning highlighted how funders, developers, government and community partners, and residents each play a role in making affordable housing possible. Ventura Housing also shared updates on five developments in its pipeline, led by Santa Clara Apartments and Pasteur Court Apartments, which are set to begin construction in April 2027.

Two residents shared how stable housing and supportive programs have shaped their lives. ATLAS Scholarship recipient Mirella Toledano was born and raised in Ventura, but her family had to move to the Central Valley after their landlord sold their home. Six years ago, they returned when they moved into a Ventura Housing home. Today, Toledano is a Ventura Housing intern and a first-generation college student who has completed her first year at Ventura College on the pre-nursing track. “The future I could only dream of six years ago is the life I am living today. And that is the power of what Ventura Housing and ATLAS make possible,” said Toledano.

Elizabeth Lopez, a graduate of Ventura Housing’s Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) program, shared how the program helped her set and reach goals that built a stronger future for her family. She has earned a bachelor’s degree in behavioral studies and plans to pursue her master’s degree next.

During his State of Ventura Housing address, CEO Jeffrey Lambert reported that the agency now serves 1,956 households and nearly 4,000 people, including more than 1,000 children and about 100 veteran households. He highlighted the opening of Valentine Road Apartments, which brought 134 permanent supportive homes to Ventura as homelessness across Ventura County declined 11.8% from 2025 to 2026. To date, ATLAS has awarded $127,000 in scholarships to 67 recipients.

Looking ahead, Lambert shared updates on five developments that will expand affordable housing across the City of Ventura. Santa Clara Apartments will replace 28 aging public housing units with a 41-unit, all-electric community for households earning 30% to 80% of area median income, and current residents will have the right to return. Pasteur Court Apartments, a 33-unit community next to Valentine Road, will serve low-income households and individuals transitioning from homelessness. Both developments are set to begin construction in April 2027.

Twelve Gardens will rehabilitate 148 existing public housing units across 12 sites throughout the city, converting them to long-term affordability through HUD’s Rental Assistance Demonstration program. The Ventura Avenue development will bring 120 new one-, two- and three-bedroom family apartments to the city alongside the renovation of the historic Avenue School. At Ventura Unified School District’s Jewett Estate, Ventura Housing is partnering with Cabrillo Economic Development Corporation and Homes & Hope to plan about 155 affordable homes for educators and the local workforce.

“Affordable housing is not free housing. It’s housing for working families, seniors, people with disabilities and the individuals who help keep our communities running every day,” said Lambert. “The real question isn’t whether affordable housing is expensive to build. It’s whether we can afford not to build it.”

Community partners Simon Salem of the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Ventura and Alex Wulff of the IDEA Center shared how their partnerships with Ventura Housing give children and families on Ventura’s Westside access to learning, mentorship and hands-on enrichment. Ventura County Supervisor Matt LaVere and City of Ventura Mayor Dr. Jeannette Sánchez-Palacios also offered remarks on the importance of housing and community investment.

During the breakfast, guests each added a piece to a puzzle representing the many partners it takes to bring affordable housing to life, with Lambert placing the final piece to close the program.

“Every development, every program and every success story we’ve shared today is made possible by people and organizations coming together,” said Lambert. “Just like this puzzle, every piece matters. And when we bring those pieces together, we create something greater than any one of us could accomplish alone.”

All proceeds from the breakfast support ATLAS programs, including scholarships, youth programming and family resources for Ventura Housing residents. To support ATLAS, visit atlas-venturahousing.org/donations

Ventura Housing – The Housing Authority of the City of San Buenaventura is now Ventura Housing. The agency serves as the community’s trusted housing partner with more than 75 years of experience helping residents and future generations to thrive. Ventura Housing’s refreshed name and look better reflect its commitment to opening doors, empowering lives, strengthening communities, and advancing housing affordability. Ventura Housing administers multifaceted housing programs that support low-income families within Ventura, from developing new and rehabilitating existing properties to managing the Housing Choice Voucher program and monitoring city income-restricted properties. It also provides access to case management and service coordination, the Family Self-Sufficiency Program (FSS), Resident Opportunities & Self-Sufficiency Program (ROSS), and Student Scholarship Program. www.venturahousing.org