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Ventura marks progress converting hotel into 134 permanent supportive homes; 39 residents already moved in
Summary
City, county and state officials joined the Housing Authority of the City of San Buenaventura to celebrate progress at Valentine Road Apartments, a conversion that will provide 134 permanent supportive units; speakers credited Project Homekey, local funding and on-site services for getting 39 people housed so far.
Jeff Lambert, CEO of the Housing Authority of the City of San Buenaventura, opened a progress celebration for Valentine Road Apartments on Valentine Road, saying the site will eventually include 134 units of permanent supportive housing and that 39 people had moved into permanent homes "as of yesterday." He outlined on-site supports including four property managers and six case managers, two with behavioral-health capacity, plus community amenities such as a sports court and community garden.
The project combines public and private funding. Gustavo Velasquez, director of the California Department of Housing and Community Development, described Project Homekey as a key early funder and said Homekey has produced roughly 16,000 permanent supportive units statewide in about 3½ years; he also said Homekey-funded units carry long-term affordability restrictions (described in remarks as a 55-year term). Matt Lavere, Ventura County supervisor for District 1, noted county and city contributions and called the effort "deep, trusting collaboration" among governments, nonprofits and residents.
Mayor Janet Sanchez Palacio said the development represents an investment in healing and community, and cited combined investments she described as "more than $74,000,000," with the city contributing $2,500,000 in resolution funding announced at the event. Leona Rollins, the city's housing manager, presented the $2,500,000 check on behalf of the City of Ventura.
Linda Bronzweiger, CEO of the Housing Trust Fund Ventura County, said the trust committed $5,000,000 in predevelopment/construction financing that helped the project bridge phases without delay, enabling other financing to close. Private partners at the podium included Enterprise Community Partners, which served as tax-credit investor and highlighted the property's green-building and decarbonization features, and JPMorgan, which provided the construction loan.
Residents and service partners underscored the importance of on-site case management and behavioral-health supports. A long-time resident, James, described staff and fellow residents as central to building a cohesive community and praised on-site caseworkers for helping residents stabilize.
After the program, staff opened selected renovated and occupied units for tours. Jeff Lambert said the housing authority expects to complete the remainder of the project next year. The ceremony included a ribbon-cutting rehearsal and an invitation for attendees to sign a commemorative ribbon and tour the site.
