Community Development staff is dedicated to serving the diverse needs of Ventura County residents, primarily those with lower incomes, to meet the unmet needs for affordable and supportive housing, community development programs, social service programs and economic development opportunities. We achieve this through a variety of projects and programs:
Administration of three U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) grant programs: Staff must maintain the County's qualification to receive annual CDBG, HOME, and ESG entitlement funds. The County's Entitlement Area consists of the cities of Fillmore, Moorpark, Ojai, Port Hueneme, Santa Paula, and the unincorporated area of the County of Ventura. Staff works closely with the cooperating cities in planning the use of these funds. Staff also works with County residents (principally those with low or moderate incomes) to assess local needs, and plan and implement projects and programs to meet those needs. Click on the link at the right for "HUD Grants" to learn more about these programs and funding opportunities.
Mortgage Credit Certificate (MCC) Program - The MCC entitles a buyer to take a federal income tax credit of twenty percent (20%) of the annual interest paid on their home mortgage for the life of the loan. Because the MCC reduces federal income taxes and increases the buyer's net earnings, it is a great help in qualifying for a first home mortgage. Visit http://www.ahahousing.com/ or contact Kathy Stone at 1-619-469-2002 for further information.
Piru Redevelopment Area - The Piru Redevelopment Project was established in response to the Northridge earthquake and a continuing series of aftershocks that struck the area in January 1994. The overarching goal of the Piru Redevelopment Plan is: “…the undertaking, carrying out, or approval of programs and projects to maintain, repair, restore, demolish, or replace buildings, structures or facilities damaged or destroyed as a result of the Earthquake, and to perform actions necessary to prevent or mitigate an emergency located with the Project Area in accordance with the redevelopment Plan and local codes and ordinances.” Click here for further information.
Business Assistance/Economic Development - The following links are provided to programs that offer assistance to businesses in the County or seeking to relocate to Ventura County:
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Small Business Development Center (SBDC) - Provides free consultations and low-cost training sessions to small business owners in Santa Barbara and Ventura counties.
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Special Projects - Farmworker Housing, 10-Year Plan to End Homelessness, Housing Trust Fund
Please contact the following staff regarding these programs:
HUD Program Manager and Special Projects
Christy Madden 805.654.2679 christy.madden@ventura.org
Piru Redevelopment Area
Jeff Burgh - Budget 805.477.1994 jeff.burgh@ventura.org
Donna Plummer - Community Development 805.654.2876 donna.plummer@ventura.org
CDBG, CDBG-R, ESG, HPRP, and HUD Plans Development
Meg Kimbell-Drewry 805.654.2871 meg.kimbell-drewry@ventura.org
HOME, NSP, and Business Assistance/Economic Development
Donna Plummer 805.654.2876 donna.plummer@ventura.org
IDIS, MCC, Contracts, Section 3 and Davis Bacon Monitoring
Sally Harrison 805.654.2852 sally.harrison@ventura.org