A $2.6 million affordable housing project featuring tiny homes moved closer to reality on Oct. 13 after Ojai declared a city-owned property surplus and approved its transfer to Habitat for Humanity of Ventura County.
“This is going to help so many families, and it's going to help our community,” said Council member Rachel Lang. “I'm really excited about the fact that we're moving forward with this.”
The City Council approved the land deal at 408-410 N. Montgomery St. 4-0 with one abstention from Council member Kim Mang, who previously voted against it.
Under the agreement, the city will donate the property to the nonprofit, waive city impact fees, install a stop sign and paint a crosswalk.
The project is expected to cost about $2.6 million, according
to the staff report.
The project will include three buildings with five single-story units, according to the development agreement. Inside will be two tiny home duplexes and one single-family home.
The home will have two bedrooms and one bathroom in 900 square feet. Each of the other four units will be 400 square feet with one bedroom and one bathroom.
The design features on-site parking, bicycle facilities, pedestrian walkways, landscaping and a shared central courtyard. All units will be sold to lower-income, first-time homebuyers.
Under the development agreement between the city and Habitat for Humanity, the project will target low-income households that generally earn no more than 80% of the area median income.
In Ventura County, the area median income is $108,500 for a family of two, according to state figures. The residences would generally be available to families of two earning between $37,700 and $100,500.
Council members attached conditions to the property’s transfer, including giving priority to Ojai residents who meet the units’ affordability requirements, followed by residents living within the city’s sphere of influence, or certain planning areas just outside of city limits that could later be annexed.
If these priorities are not met, the city or a designated community land trust would have the first opportunity to buy any unit not purchased, subject to Habitat for Humanity’s approval.
As part of the agreement, the units will remain affordable for 45 years, according to the Oct. 13 staff report.
According to a comparative marketing analysis, the property’s value is estimated at $550,000-$600,000, said Ojai city attorney Bethany Burgess during the meeting.
A groundbreaking is tentatively planned for summer 2027, said Andy Shoemaker, chief construction officer for Habitat for Humanity of Ventura County, after the meeting. The nonprofit originally hoped to break ground in 2026.
Prospective homebuyers will partner with Habitat and contribute “sweat equity” by helping to build their own home or the homes of others. The hands-on program encourages pride of ownership and building community connections.
The city acquired the 0.2-acre property in August 2010 after the previous owner failed to repair two dilapidated, two-unit residential buildings, according to a staff report. The buildings were later demolished.
Resident Bill Miley spoke in support of the project during public comment.
“The city's move to give this to Habitat is really good, and we get a really good project,” he said.
Wes Woods II covers West County for the Ventura County Star. Reach him at wesley.woodsii@vcstar.com, 805-437-0262 or @JournoWes.
This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: $2.6M tiny home affordable housing in Ojai moves closer to reality
