Ventura Unified joins county and SCAG to study housing on district land; board approves technical‑assistance scope

The Ventura Unified School District board on a 5‑0 vote approved a county partnership with the Southern California Association of Governments to use regional early action planning grant funds for feasibility studies that could examine school property for affordable and workforce housing.

Chelsea Russell, who works in the County Executive Office’s community development division, told the board the regional SCAG allocation includes $756,000 in technical assistance intended to fund consultant studies rather than construction. The studies will evaluate publicly owned lands and produce analyses jurisdictions can use to determine next steps, she said.

Why it matters: Russell said the action responds to Assembly Bill 2295, which permits local educational agencies to consider housing on district land. Ventura County faces a high housing cost burden — Russell cited a regional estimate that workers need about $49 an hour to afford a two‑bedroom unit — and the grant aims to help jurisdictions consider tools such as developing surplus parcels and coordinating cross‑sector partners including school districts and housing trusts.

What the board approved: The contract or scope of work the board voted to accept covers county participation in a SCAG‑led consultant pool and study work. Russell said consultants will be selected through an RFP SCAG will issue; consultants are expected to complete studies before the SCAG grant’s expiration (funds must be expended by June 30, 2026). The county emphasized the studies are optional tools for districts — Ventura Unified will decide whether to pursue any development after receiving study results.

Board questions and context: Trustees asked whether the grant provides direct dollars to the district (it does not) and whether the district can prioritize particular sites for study. Russell said the county prioritized two district properties for initial work — the Education Support Center (ESC) site and the Washington School site — but that the final work plan will reflect the number of participating jurisdictions and consultant capacity. Trustees also asked about timing: SCAG’s schedule and state budget activity affect when studies will be completed, but Russell said the next practical milestones include a June 2026 completion target if timelines proceed smoothly.

Next steps: Staff said they will return with a written information item to the board (a “receive and file”) and, if warranted, bring recommendations about any district property forward for further action after study findings are delivered.