FAQS
GENERAL FAQs
What does affordable mean?
The Cabrillo Economic Development Corporation is a leading developer and manager of affordable home communities in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties. Affordable homes, which used to be referred to as affordable housing, is defined today more by its cost rather than by its design or ownership status. Affordable homes today are defined as affordable when an individual or family pays no more than 30 percent of its total income on housing costs, including rent or mortgage, and utilities. This definition of affordable is a holistic way of looking at the economic picture of an individual or family because it takes into consideration that people have other essential expenses including food, clothing, healthcare, education, transportation and other costs of living.
Affordable home communities also refer to housing developments that are affordable to people who have very low, low or moderate incomes. The definition of these income levels is set by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development as a percent of the Area Median Income and varies from region to region by household size. You can find a description of HUD’s income levels and corresponding household sizes on the California Department of Housing and Community Development website.
Through the development of affordable homes, both ownership and rental, Cabrillo fulfills a tremendous housing need throughout Ventura and Santa Barbara counties.
How does one qualify for affordable housing?
Generally speaking, CEDC’s homes are available to those earning from 20 to 60 percent of the Area Median Income (AMI). Not sure what the AMI is where you live? Check out: http://www.treasurer.ca.gov/ctcac/2016/supplemental.asp. Additionally, CEDC often accepts housing vouchers such as Section 8 and Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH). The Property Management and Community Building Departments at CEDC can help you figure out the eligibility requirements for all new and existing properties.
Property Management
Where can I find a rental application?
To find a rental application for any of our rental properties, click here. Please submit the rental application to the property manager at the property or properties of your choice in person or by mail. You will be placed on a waiting list and contacted by the property manager when a rental apartment becomes available at that site.
How can I find an affordable apartment to rent?
Cabrillo offers a variety of rental apartment communities in Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties. Please click on the “Rental Housing” tab to see a list of our rental homes or click here.
How do I qualify?
Each of the communities in Cabrillo Economic Development Corporation’s (CEDC) rental portfolio has its own established requisites based on the affordability requirements for that particular property.
The same rental policy applies at all rental communities. For a copy of the rental policy in English, click here. To see the rental policy in Spanish, click here. If you are interested in submitting an application for any of the properties, applications must be submitted directly to the property(ies) of interest.
CEDC is an equal housing opportunity provider and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, familial status, handicap, mental status, sexual orientation, ancestry, source of income and other protected classes under state and local laws.
HOMEBUYER & FINANCIAL SERVICES
How do I know if a reverse mortgage is right for me?
There are many factors to consider before deciding whether a reverse mortgage is right for you.
To be considered for a reverse mortgage, HUD’s Federal Housing Administration (FHA) requires that you participate in a counseling session with an approved nonprofit housing counseling agency. Upon completion of the session, the counselor will issue you a certificate that must be provided to the lender you choose to work with. At Cabrillo, we have counselors certified by HUD who specialize in helping consumers, 62 years of age or older, explore and evaluate this financial tool.
During your reverse mortgage counseling session, your counselor will work with you to help explain how reverse mortgages work, the financial and tax implications of taking out a reverse mortgage, payment options, and costs associated with a reverse mortgage. Your counselor will also highlight available resources that you may find useful in meeting your financial needs.
How can I find an affordable home to buy?
CEDC currently has no ownership homes under construction. However, CEDC’s Homebuyer and Financial Services may be able to assist you in preparing to buy a home with pre-purchase education and counseling and may be able to refer you to affordable for-sale homes available for purchase in your community.
How can I get foreclosure prevention assistance?
Unexpected emergencies such as temporary job loss, illness, or a death in the family can lead to a loss of income. This can result in the inability to make the mortgage payment causing a possible foreclosure. To preserve families in the community and stabilize neighborhoods, a foreclosure counseling program has been established to help families get through this difficult transition period.
Cabrillo’s Homebuyer and Financial Services offer free services to assist homeowners in preserving homeownership and preventing foreclosure. Individuals are also urged to attend the Financial Empowerment Program classes. Counselors are certified by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). To schedule an appointment, please call (805) 659-6868.
Real Estate Development
Which projects are currently in your pipeline?
The Cabrillo Economic Development Corporation’s Real Estate and Development Department (REDD) analyzes the feasibility of potential sites for affordable homes on an ongoing basis. The department currently has one project in construction, and three projects in various stages of predevelopment.
Camino Esperanza in Simi Valley was completed in early 2017, and provides 31 affordable units for low-income seniors. Grading for Phase II of Snapdragon Place Apartments in Ventura was completed in February 2018 with the construction of 22 units to begin in March. Additionally, REDD is in the pre-develoopment stage on three additional projects, one of which is Etting Road in Oxnard.
How does Cabrillo fund projects?
Like other nonprofit developers, Cabrillo Economic Development Corporation secures funding for land acquisition, predevelopment and development/construction through a variety of public and private sources. The California Tax Credit Allocation Committee provides tax credit equity and is our most common, albeit, competitive source of funds. The California Department of Housing & Community Development administers numerous grant and loan programs applicable to nonprofit developers of low-income, affordable and special needs housing. As funding sources differ from year to year, each project requires a unique mix of public and private funding sources to get the project off the ground and ensure it is affordable to the area’s most vulnerable populations.