Port Hueneme housing authority approves splitting RAD application for Willowbrook and Mar Vista

The Port Hueneme Housing Authority voted unanimously to adopt resolutions to split its Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) application into two projects — separating Willowbrook from Mar Vista — and to authorize submission of a Section 18 disposition application for Willowbrook to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

HUD recommended that the city submit Willowbrook as a separate project from Mar Vista, staff told the authority, a step the presenter said would qualify the properties as a “very small” public housing agency category and streamline the RAD conversion process. “HUD came back and uh requested that we submit a um second project,” the staff presenter said.

The decision implements a conversion pathway the authority first authorized in 2019 and follows the recent creation of a nonprofit entity to receive properties and manage RAD transactions. Housing and Facilities Director Gabby Basua said the conversion will shift units from traditional public housing to project-based vouchers and stressed there will be no immediate rent increases tied to the conversion. “There will be no change in rents,” Gabby Basua said.

Board members asked staff to clarify figures included in the packet. Staff described anticipated new revenue and listed property tax, administrative fee and operating expense items in the pro forma for the Willowbrook application; the presenter said the platform will allow the authority to generate revenue that can be reinvested into property repairs and resident services. Staff also noted the authority historically receives a HUD capital grant of roughly $100,000–$150,000 per year and currently lacks reserve balances to cover all operating and capital needs.

Members sought clarification about exact revenue figures; in the hearing staff referenced differing figures at points (a higher revenue estimate and a smaller annual cash-flow figure around $200,000 were both mentioned), and the transcript reflects some numerical confusion during the explanation. The authority recorded that completed Mar Vista renovations (windows and doors) are in place and that the transaction cannot close until HUD authorizes entry into escrow.

A motion to adopt the two resolutions was moved and seconded; Madam Kirk called the vote and the motion passed unanimously, with members Laura Hernandez and Bobby Martinez recorded as absent. The authority said staff will proceed with submission of the separated Willowbrook application to HUD and await HUD authorization to enter escrow.

The meeting adjourned at about 5:13 p.m.; the authority said its next regular meeting is scheduled for Sept. 3, 2024, at 6:30 p.m.