805-659-3791 [email protected] 702 County Square Dr. Ventura, CA 93003

The Cabrillo Economic Development Corporation

Comprehensive Housing Services and Community Economic Development

Cabrillo hires Director of Property Management

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Cabrillo Economic Development Corporation is pleased to announce the addition of Yuliana Solistio as its Director of Property Management and will be overseeing Cabrillo’s 27 properties, property managers, and maintenance staff.

With 12 years of multi-family housing property management experience, Solistio comes to Cabrillo from Woodburn, Oregon, where she served as the Director of Property Management of Evolve Workforce and Multifamily Housing.

She has extensive experience with management of commercial properties, market rate, Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC), Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and USDA- Rural Development (RD) housing across a wide geographic area. She received her bachelor’s degree in Business Economics from Oregon State University and her IREM Accredited Residential Manager Designation and currently is in pursuit of her Property Management License.

Brownley announces $415,000 grant to Cabrillo

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WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Julia Brownley (D-Westlake Village) recently announced NeighborWorks America, a public nonprofit established by Congress, has awarded a $415,333 grant to Cabrillo Economic Development Corporation to foster community development and create more affordable housing in Ventura County.

“Strong partnerships between public entities and local nonprofits like the one between NeighborWorks and Cabrillo Economic Development Corporation foster effective, innovative solutions that are key to addressing our nation’s affordable housing crisis,” said Congresswoman Julia Brownley. “I am pleased to see Cabrillo receive this well-deserved award that will allow them to continue to develop affordable housing options for families throughout Ventura County.”

“This grant award from NeighborWorks America allows us to continue our important mission of building affordable housing, creating homeownership opportunities, and lifting up our more than 3,000 residents in Ventura County with educational resources and programs to improve their quality of life,” said Margarita De Escontrias, Chief Executive Officer of Cabrillo Economic Development Corporation. “This funding is not only critical to our existence as a nonprofit organization and to our direct beneficiaries, but it also validates our presence in the community to our constituents, partners, funders, lenders, and investors. We are grateful to NeighborWorks America for believing in Cabrillo and partnering with us to create thriving communities.”

Since 1978, NeighborWorks America has supported local solutions to community development and affordable housing in urban, suburban and rural communities across the nation by providing their network of more than 240 of the nation’s best community development organizations with financial and grant support, training, technical assistance, organizational assessments, technology tools and other services.

In Fiscal Year 2016, NeighborWorks America and the NeighborWorks network assisted over 360,000 families, developed 16,200 quality, affordable rental units, and preserved 12,700 affordable homes.

Cabrillo hosts 2017 Affordable Housing Bus Tour

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On June 8, the 2017 Affordable Housing Bus Tour rolled into Cabrillo Economic Development Corporation’s Snapdragon Place Apartments to raise awareness about the need for affordable housing in Ventura County.

The event, part of Cabrillo’s 35th Anniversary celebration, offered 42 community members the opportunity to get up-close and personal with affordable housing, its residents, and management staff. Tours also showed participants that affordable housing properties can be beautiful and leaders in green building concepts and community building with features such as playgrounds, tennis and basketball courts, pools and community rooms that foster resident activities and educational programs.

The tour consisted of three stops with tours of Snapdragon Place Apartments, Azahar Place Apartments and Villa Cesar Chavez Apartments. The tour also passed by The Santa Paulan, one of Cabrillo’s refurbished properties, and future development sites, including Phase II of Snapdragon Place Apartments and the Etting Road property site. Funding is being sought for Phase II of Snapdragon Apartments, and Etting Road is in the planning stages. Lunch was provided at Azahar Place Apartments and tours of resident’s homes were offered at some of the stops.

The group of 42 participants included elected officials or their representatives; partners of Cabrillo’s Resident and Community Services Department, including other nonprofits such as FOOD Share, MICOP, United Way, House Farm Workers!, and VCCF; City of Oxnard, City of Ventura and County of Ventura management and planning personnel; funders and investors; members of other community development organizations; and media representatives.

“Cabrillo, including our executive team and planning staff, were extremely pleased with the event,” said Jeanette Villanueva, Advancement Manager at Cabrillo. “This event provided those important to fulfilling Cabrillo’s mission with a first-hand experience of our affordable housing properties. This essentially brought our mission to life. As we celebrate our 35th anniversary, these important connections will help Cabrillo continue to thrive and make an even bigger impact in Ventura County.”

Applications available for Rodney Fernandez Leadership Scholarship

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Applications for the Rodney Fernandez Leadership Scholarship are now available. The scholarship was created in 2011 to honor the legacy of Rodney Fernandez, founder of Cabrillo Economic Development Corporation and CEDC’s Executive Director for 30 years (1981 – 2011). The Scholarship continues Fernandez’s legacy of community building by cultivating the leadership of residents to attain their goals, empower themselves and to take action and improve the quality of live in their communities.

Who Qualifies?

  • You must be a Ventura County Resident
  • You must be a STEM Major (please see the list of qualifying majors on Page 3 of the application.
  • Your Household income must be less than or equal to 80 percent of the AMI (See the table in the application)
  • You must be currently enrolled in and/or continuing college education, or in the process of applying to an accredited institution in an undergraduate or graduate program.

Download Application

Maria Hernandez captured hearts of residents

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It is with heavy hearts we announce the death of our dear friend and co-worker Maria Hernandez. Maria was the heart and soul of Cabrillo’s Resident & Community Services Department, where she served as a community building manager. This title did little to describe who she really was, though.

In the words of HomeOwnership Center Director Omar Madrigal, “She was a rock star. Everywhere she went people followed her around. All the residents loved her.”

Her compassion, big heart and desire to make people’s lives better are the traits that shone brightest. It is that, and her radiant smile, that will forever be remembered.

Meet Cabrillo Maintenance Tech Javier Gaona

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Javier Gaona is one of Cabrillo’s valued maintenance technicians (MT). He is not only assigned to work at Cabrillo’s Paseo Del Rio/Paseo Santa Clara apartments, but he is also part of the community as a resident.

“I love it here at Cabrillo,” said Gaona. “We each do our best to our knowledge and abilities, and I get a good vibe from the people I meet and work with.” Next month will be Gaona’s one-year anniversary with Cabrillo. When not working, you will typically find him at the community park playing with his 3-year-old granddaughter Alya. He and his wife adopted her and feel blessed to raise her on-site at Paseo Del Rio.

According to Victor Alcantar, Maintenance Foreman, Gaona is a great team player. “He assists and helps out other MTs with his knowledge of great customer service. He is also a gentleman and very respectful to others. He always has a positive attitude.”

Employees attend Mental Health First Aid Class

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About 50 Cabrillo employees attended a Mental Health First Aid Class on Feb. 22. The eight-hour training course teaches how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illnesses and substance use disorders, said Janice Aharon-Ezer, Cabrillo’s Director of Resident and Community Services.

“The training prepared all of us, lay people to professionals, on how to approach and assist someone with mental health problems that are actively occurring and people who may be suicidal and homicidal,” Aharon-Ezer said.

The one-day course was made possible through the Mental Health Services Act and was presented by a representative of Ventura County Behavioral Health.

Cabrillo presents 35th Anniversary Gala

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Cabrillo will be honoring Barbara Macri-Ortiz and Jaime Bordenave for their efforts and advocacy as champions of affordable housing in Ventura County during CEDC’s 35th Anniversary Gala from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Sept. 28 at the Tower Club, 300 E. Esplanade Drive in Oxnard.

The evening will include a gourmet dinner, silent and live auctions, and awards presentations with keynote speaker Rick Najera, named one of the “most powerful and influential Latinos in entertainment,” by the Imagen Foundation.

The funds raised from this event will provide affordable housing and make it possible for us to improve lives through ongoing educational and social programs, financial education programs, food pantries, and after-school tutoring and reading clubs for children.

Tickets for the event are $100 and can be purchased online.

For questions about sponsorship or auction donations, please contact Organizational Advancement Manager Jeanette Villanueva at 805- 672-2597 ext. 147 for details.

Cabrillo celebrates the grand opening of Camino Esperanza

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Cabrillo Economic Development Corporation held a Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for its newest affordable housing property on April 6 with about 150 people in attendance. Camino Esperanza in Simi Valley provides housing for seniors and those with disabilities.

“Cabrillo is proud to be a participant in the housing element for almost every city in the county from Simi Valley to Ventura, Camarillo, Oxnard, Santa Paula, Fillmore and Piru. We are the only nonprofit based affordable home builder based in Ventura County that can make that claim,” said Dave Sabedra Cabrillo board president.

The event included open house tours of two of the 31 units on the property; a ceremony featuring state, county and local elected officials, Simi Valley city planning officials; property funders; and community organizations and nonprofits with a luncheon for residents and attendees following the ceremony.

About 15 residents already have moved in and are enjoying setting up their apartments and getting to know one another. During the ceremony, resident Patricia Spensieri spoke about what Camino Esperanza means to her.

“Welcome to Camino Esperanza, it really is a little slice of heaven. I’ve never seen anything like this. I was a homeowner, and I feel like a homeowner again,” Spensieri said. “I love it. I love the back door, the porch. It’s like a dream come true, honestly. I really never thought that I would have my own place again, and you’ve really made a dream come true for me.

“Also, I’ve met some of the residents here, and everybody is so nice and so approachable and so thankful that they are living here and have a unit. You have no idea what you folks did for the seniors here. I’m so glad to be here. All I can say is everything is beautiful. It’s a dream come true, and I hope you can build more of these. Thank you.”

Cabrillo Chief Executive Officer Director Margarita H. De Escontrias said that to meet the need for affordable housing in Ventura County, it would require more than 26,000 affordable rental units. “We are far short, but striving to achieve this goal, and it will take all of us in affordable housing working together,” she said.

She recognized the County of Ventura’s Area Housing Authority and Many Mansions as well as project funders, including Bank of the West, Raymond James Tax Credit Funds Inc., Ventura County Housing Trust Fund, the State of California Housing Community Development’s HOME and Multifamily Home Program and the City of Simi Valley for their roles in the project’s success.

Sabedra also thanked the City of Simi Valley for its role, saying, “The Board and staff are extremely grateful to Simi Valley for its assistance in making Camino Esperanza possible. The city has been a valuable partner to Cabrillo on this project and the 71-unit apartment complex on Alamo Road known as Plaza Del Sol. So, on behalf of the board and staff, I want to extend our sincere gratitude for the city’s continued support.”

The ADA-accessible property includes a community room, and barbecue and sitting areas for residents and has many unique features, such as basin water infiltration system rather than storm drains. Other features include energy-efficient appliances, under-cabinet lighting and contrasting edges on countertops, which are especially helpful for seniors.

Escontrias also recognized community organizations who provided referrals, awareness and support of the project, including Tri-Counties Regional Center, Ventura County Health Care Agency, Ventura County Area Agency on Aging, Simi Valley Senior Center, Catholic Charities, Salvation Army, Millennium Care, FOOD Share and ARC of Ventura County.

To see additional photos of this event, visit our Facebook Page.

To see coverage from the event, visit the Simi Valley Acorn.

Cabrillo plans Grand Opening for Simi Valley housing complex

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The press and public are invited to the grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony for Camino Esperanza, Cabrillo Economic Development Corporation’s newest affordable housing complex in Simi Valley.

The event will take place at 11 a.m. Thursday, April 6, 2017, at Camino Esperanza, 1384 Katherine Road South, Simi Valley. A luncheon will follow the program.

This will be a beautiful and needed addition to Simi Valley’s Senior Housing units. Further proof that affordable can be attractive, well made and planned responsibly,” said Simi Valley City Council Member Mike Judge.

With a backdrop of the beautiful Santa Susana Mountains, Camino Esperanza features 31 affordable homes with modern amenities for seniors with special needs. The complex features a community room, and barbecue and sitting areas for residents.

“Camino Esperanza is a welcome addition to Simi Valley and is the only project of its kind here,” said Simi Valley Mayor Bob Huber. “This new affordable housing complex has

The program will feature the following speakers: Cabrillo Executive Director Margarita H. de Escontrias, Cabrillo Board President Dave Sabedra, Huber and various community members and residents.

If you are interested in attending the Grand Opening, please RSVP below.

805-659-3791
[email protected]
702 County Square Dr. Ventura, CA
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