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CEDC has seen the reality of our area’s housing firsthand through overwhelming demand for our affordable developments. Our waitlists often include hundreds of applicants per property, with the greatest unmet need seen in housing for low-income seniors, agricultural workers, and families with children.

Who We Serve

Our developments are designed to serve those most in need:

• Farmworkers: Agricultural workers form the backbone of Ventura County’s economy yet often live in overcrowded or substandard conditions. Properties like Villa Cesar Chavez in Oxnard provide safe, stable housing for this critical workforce.

• Veterans and individuals with disabilities: While a smaller portion of our resident population, veterans and people with disabilities benefit from developments that integrate accessibility features and, when possible, supportive services.

• Seniors: Aging residents face rising rents, social isolation, and accessibility challenges. Developments like Camino Esperanza in Simi Valley provide age-appropriate units with supportive amenities.

• Low-income families: Access to stable housing improves educational outcomes and economic mobility. We build communities like Paseo Del Rio/Santa Clara in Oxnard, and Azahar Place in Ventura, to meet these intergenerational needs.

Bringing these developments to life is increasingly difficult. We contend with:

• Limited land availability, especially in desirable areas near transit, jobs, and services.

• Rising construction and labor costs, which impact project feasibility.

• Lengthy entitlement processes and zoning restrictions, which delay timelines.

• Community resistance to affordable housing, especially when projects serve vulnerable populations.

Despite these challenges, CEDC has remained committed to advocating for inclusive communities and collaborating with local jurisdictions to address barriers.

What’s Working

To navigate obstacles, we’ve found several strategies to be effective:

• Layered funding: By combining Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC), HOME funds, state grants, and local contributions, we bring financial viability to projects while keeping rents affordable.

• Integrated service partnerships: Collaborating with local nonprofits allows us to offer onsite services like after-school programs, food distributions, and case management that help residents thrive.

• Thoughtful design: Our properties are built with community in mind—green spaces, community rooms, and culturally relevant design elements foster pride and belonging.

• Community engagement: Early and transparent outreach to neighborhoods helps build trust, address concerns, and gain support for our developments.

Looking Ahead

The path forward requires bold solutions. Ventura County must plan for an aging population, support low-income families’ housing stability, and protect the essential workforce, especially farmworkers, who sustain our local economy. The senior population is projected to grow by over 40% in the next decade, making age-appropriate housing an urgent priority.

We must continue to expand funding sources, increase political will for affordable development, and push for zoning and policy reforms that support higher-density and mixed-income communities. Affordable housing is not only about shelter—it’s about dignity, equity, and opportunity.

At CEDC, we believe that affordable housing is the foundation for healthy, thriving communities. Our work goes beyond bricks and mortar—we’re building places where seniors can age with dignity, farmworkers can rest after a hard day’s work, and families can build better futures. Ventura County deserves nothing less.

–Victoria Brady, CEO of Cabrillo Economic Development Corporation

At CEDC, we remain steadfast in our mission to serve those who need housing the most, and to create communities where everyone has a place to call home.

To see other CEDC projects: https://www.cabrilloedc.org/where-do-i-want-to-live/