U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Office of Community Planning and Development
Consolidated Plan Contact
CITIZEN'S SUMMARY
The City of Oxnard is located in Ventura County, California. The City's
Consolidated Plan represents the culmination of a lengthy process that included
the consultation, collaboration and involvement of citizens and other public and
private agencies. This Plan is also the result of a dedicated and coordinated
effort of a team of City employees representative of several City programs and
marks the creation of an ongoing process that will include the annual action
plan submittal.
The Plan serves as: a planning document, an application for Federal funds, a
strategy to be followed in carrying out HUD programs, and an action plan that
provides the basis for assessing performance. The Plan identifies the City's
unmet needs for affordable housing, supportive housing, community development,
social services and economic development opportunities for low-income residents.
Included is an outline a five-year strategic plan and an annual action plan to
address those needs.
Action Plan
The City is eligible for FY 1995/1996 funding for $ 4,083,000 under the
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME),
and Emergency Shelter Grants (ESG) programs.
Citizen Participation
The City Council on October 1994 adopted new consultation and citizen
participation requirements for the preparation and submittal of the City's
Consolidated Plan. The information is available in English and Spanish. Also,
Ventura County invited more than 120 non-profit organizations and service
providers throughout the County to participate in the planning at a joint public
hearing with ten cities in Ventura County and the County on November 3, 1994.
Also, the City held its own public hearings on December 7, 1994. The City's
draft Consolidated Plan was completed and distributed for public review in early
May, 1995. The City's third and final public hearing was held on June 6, 1995
by the City Council, when the Oxnard Consolidated Plan was adopted.
COMMUNITY PROFILE
Oxnard has a diverse population of approximately 152,000 and ranks as the
largest city in Ventura County. The City is located in the coastal plain just
northwest of Los Angeles County. The Pacific Ocean borders the City to the
southwest.
The City, named after the Oxnard brothers who established the American Beet
Sugar Company, has vastly changed since its incorporation in 1903. While
agriculture remains a major industry, the work force has expanded into all
sectors of the economy, with retail and manufacturing showing the largest
growth. The City experienced a 7 percent increase since the 1990 census.
Ethnic diversity is estimated percentages at 54.4 Hispanic, 32.3 White, 7.9
Asian, 4.8 Black, .4 Native American, and .2 other. The median age is 28 with 60 percent of its population under
35. The median income is $38,700 and 5.1 percent of the population have a
bachelor degree.
The County has been especially hard-hit by the recession, defense
downsizing, and the Northridge earthquake. In 1993, for the first time, more
people moved out than into Ventura County. The most significant reason for the
economic decline is the lost of manufacturing jobs and the contraction of the
industrial sector in general.
In 1994, the City Council adopted a mission statement to guide the community
and "to provide leadership to maximize opportunities for residents and
businesses to realize an enhanced quality of life by achieving educational,
occupational, and financial viability." The City's objectives are to: (1)
improve the quality of life by providing programs and facilities, which help
maintain neighborhood stability, eliminate undesirable or unhealthy conditions
and generally increase a neighborhood's quality, (2) maintain it's housing
stock, provide a diverse housing environment, increase the quality of housing
citywide and provide a broad range of homeownership and rental opportunities,
and (3) attract capital investment which results in the creation of new job
opportunities for its citizens and to strengthen the economic and social base of
the community by supporting small business development and retention.
HOUSING AND COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT NEEDS
Conditions
About 25 percent of Oxnard's housing was built before 1960. There are about
39,133 households in the City: 11,044 households (28 percent) are very low
income and an additional 5,169 households (13 percent) are low income. There
are about 3,600 farmworker households. About 7,486 persons in the City are
employed mostly in farming but a few in forestry or fishing occupations. The
annual farmworker household income is about $15,288 (about 30% of the area
median income). Farmworker families typically reside in overcrowded,
substandard conditions paying more than 30% of their income for shelter, or else
are paying somewhat lower shelter costs for very substandard conditions. Also,
there were 15,808 persons over age of 60 years or 11.1 percent of the City's
population. Most elderly households (78 %) are homeowners. Estimate of 1,019
elderly individuals living in rental housing area experiencing housing problems.
There are about 10,753 large (five or more member) households in the City or
nearly 27% of the total number of households. Nearly 60 percent of the large
households are homeowners and 40 percent are renters. Anecdotal evidence
suggests that at least a portion of large households who own their home, may in
fact be two or more families (often related by blood or marriage) sharing the
cost of a house. Twenty-five percent of the family households live in
overcrowded housing, which is the highest rate in the County. The largest
concentrations of high occupancy households are occurring in census tracts 32,
37, 47, and 49. These tracts are in the La Colonia, Bartolo Square, Lemonwood,
and Rose Park neighborhoods. These four tracts contain 44 percent of all the
City's high occupancy households. Of the high occupancy households in tracts
32, 37, 47, and 49, about 72 to 79 percent live in renter-occupied dwellings.
In 1990, 24 percent of all female-headed families (1,171) were living in
poverty. Of cities within the County, the Oxnard has the second highest number
of residents receiving public assistance. 6,820 persons in the City aged 16-64
had a work related disability and many of these were prevented from working by
their disability. In addition, 3,686 elderly persons, 65 years and over,
reported a mobility or self-care limitation. Estimate is that 400-600 persons
with HIV/AIDS reside in the City.
Housing Needs
Overall, 11,044 (28 percent) of the City's households earn under $25,050 or
50 percent of median family income, and may benefit from some type of housing
assistance subsidy. Some 5,447 very low income renters households are paying
more than 30 percent of their income on housing and an additional 1,957 very low
income owners households are overpaying for housing. These families are also
affected by severe overcrowding. Renter households number 17,380. Of the 9,843
renter households paying more than 30 percent of gross income on housing, these
same households may forego other essential needs, such as food, medical care, or
training to improve their economic conditions.
Housing Market Conditions
New single family detached housing in Oxnard ranges in price from $192,500
to $257,000. The fair market rents for existing housing are $629 (studio), $720
(1 bedroom (BR)), $913 (2 BR), $1,214 (3 BR), and $1,415 (4 BR). The City has
an approximate vacancy rate of 5 percent.
Affordable Housing Needs
Affordable rental housing for large families is extremely scare. According
to a 1989 survey, 92.4 percent of the multi-family housing units consisted of
two bedroom or smaller units. The average size of a household renting an
apartment is 3.65 persons, which is higher than the 3.48 persons per
owner-occupied housing units.
Homeless Needs
The City's homeless number 309 persons in emergency shelters and an
additional 30 homeless individuals visible in street locations. The homeless
population is made up of individuals and families, is extremely diverse, and
fluctuates seasonally. The City's homeless include families with children, the
elderly, veterans, and those who are mentally ill, or chemically dependent and
farmworkers according to reports from service providers. Also seen in shelters
in increasing number are single-parent families, young runaways, battered women
and persons with HIV/AIDS. In January 1995, flooding in Ventura County resulted
in the displacement of over 200 homeless persons from makeshift camps along the
Ventura and Santa Clara River beds. In Oxnard, according to the Red Cross,
homeless persons were displaced from locations under the 101 Freeway overpass
near wagon Wheel, and near Harbor Boulevard where the Santa Clara river empties
into the Pacific Ocean. During January 13-20, 1995, approximately 124 persons
per day were in need of shelter in Oxnard.
In Oxnard, a variety of population and housing market conditions have
contributed to the number of homeless persons in the City. A larger overall
number of low income families live in Oxnard. The City has the largest number
of public aid recipients and the greatest concentration of low income
households. Approximately 10 percent the families (3,0O0) live below the
poverty level ($12,674 for a family of four in 1989). Additionally, 29 percent
of the jobs are in the agricultural and services industry. These jobs generally
pay low wages and attract workers with limited or no basic job skills.
Another contributing factor to the growing number of homeless single adults
is the reduction in State funding to local county mental health departments.
One solution has been to provide emergency shelter vouchers to mentally-ill
homeless individuals to use at participating Ventura and Oxnard motels. ESP
case managers are then able to provide counseling and assist in transitioning
the individual to a more permanent housing option, when and if they are
available.
Public and Assisted Housing Needs
Through its Housing Authority, the City manages 780 public housing units.
Of the these, 150 are located in two high-rise buildings developed as senior
housing. The last low rent public housing project was developed in 1976. The
City has exhausted previously obtained development authority under State law.
The City has authority under its Section 8 program to subsidize the rents for 58
mobile home spaces. Also, the City has the ability to expand this authority, if
necessary. In June of 1994, the City adopted a 5-year plan for modernization of
its public housing. The City anticipates spending about $15 million to
implement the plan. Also, there are two projects under HUD's Section 236(J)(l)
Program with one of these programs receiving 30 units of assistance under
Section 8. These projects are Channel Island Park Apartments with 152 units and
30 units under Section 8; and the Rancho Ellen Apartments with 168 units and no
units under Section 8.
Barriers to Affordable Housing
The Zoning Ordinance and Subdivision Ordinance require minimum lot sizes,
density limits, and land dedication for public rights-of-way that serve to
reduce the usable land area for housing. Recently the City undertook to modify
lots size requirements so as to facilitate certain affordable housing
developments. Under evaluation is a proposed change in the standards governing
these issues that would remove some constraints on the development of housing
for all income levels on a project-by-project basis.
Lead-Based Paint
About 24,500 occupied housing units built before 1979 have lead-based paint
somewhere in the building. The City estimates that 10,373 households occupy
housing units built before 1959. Of these households, 7,185 or 69 percent are
low-income. An additional 22,787 households reside in housing units built
between 1960 and 1979. Of these household 9,285 or 40 percent are low income.
Other Issues
Of the 10,655 persons aged 65 years and older in 1990, 3,686
non-institutionalized elderly report either a mobility or self-care limitation.
Of the City's elderly population, 8% or 844 people are living in poverty.
HOUSING AND COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY
Vision for Change
The City's general priorities for allocating housing resources in the
planning period between 1995/1999 consists of five major housing activities: new
construction, rehabilitation, homebuyer assistance, support facilities and
services for homeless households, as well as public housing and rental
assistance. The geographic targeting of these programs is citywide, with two
exceptions. The Colonia and Rose Park communities have been identified for
first time homebuyer assistance and for in-city construction. The Southwinds
neighborhood is receiving Local Redevelopment funds to eliminate blighting
conditions, rehabilitate housing, and to improve public infrastructure.
Housing and Community Development Objectives and Priorities
Housing Priorities:
Each priority housing activity has one or more category of households for
two reasons; one, by creating flexibility in households assisted, the City can
better negotiate the type of development which better maximizes resources with a
housing developer. Secondly, the preceding needs section clearly show that
affordable housing is needed by a variety of households, and for low and very
low income residents.
New Construction
- Construct new housing for senior citizens. Five-year goal: Sisters of
Mercy, 40 senior one-bedroom units, completion - fall, 1996.
- Facilitate the construction of new farmworker housing for low and very
low income families. Five-year goal: Villa Solimar, 32 4-bedroom units,
completion - spring, 1995. Farmers Market, 28 3-bedroom units, completion -
fall, 1995. Sisters of Mercy, 64 multi- family (2, 3, 4, 5 bedroom units),
completion - fall, 1996.
- Facilitate the construction of new homes and the development of
inclusionary multi- family housing for very low income families and individuals.
Five-year goal: Meta Street, 60 units of ownership housing, completion - 1996.
Upper A Street, 50 1-bedroom, 50 2- bedroom, completion - winter, 1998.
- Facilitate the construction of new homes and the development of
inclusionary single- family units for low and moderate income families and
individuals. Five-year goal: Lombard Parcel Development, 115 3-bedroom for-sale
units, completion - winter, 1997.
Rehabilitation
- Rehabilitate owner-occupied housing units of low and moderate income
families and individuals. Five-year goal: 170 units.
- Rehabilitate owner-occupied mobile home units of low and moderate income
families and individuals. Five-year goal: 110 units.
Support Facilities and Services -- Homeless Persons and Families
- Facilitate the development/siting of a central homeless shelter capable
of providing a wide range of services to needy persons. Five-year goal: Site
acquisition and construction of a new shelter.
- Facilitate the provision of emergency shelter and supportive services.
Five-year goal: Continue to work with the Ventura City Homeless and Housing
Coalition in the development of emergency and transitional housing. Continue
City support for the Homeless Employment Program.
Homebuyer Assistance
- Develop programs to assist developers, non-profit corporations, and
public housing tenants with the financing for low and moderate income first-time
homebuyers. Five-year goal: 100 units.
Public Housing and Rental Assistance
- Administer 780 units of Public Housing. Five-year goal: Public housing
operating subsidy for 780 units.
- Preservation of rental units subsidized under the City's Section 8 Rental
Subsidy Program. Five-year goal: Section 8 Rental subsidy for 1,584 units.
- Expansion of the City's rental subsidy assistance program. Five-year
goal: 200 units.
Other Special Needs
- Facilitate the development of supportive housing opportunities for very
low and low income households. Five-year goal: Allocation of public housing and
Section 8 rental assistance, as available; and new construction of rental and
senior housing units.
- Expansion of the City's rental subsidy assistance program. Five-year
goal: 200 units.
Non-Housing Community Development Priorities
The following descriptions are for projects for FY 95-96 (also see One Year
Action Plan):
- Street maintenance - Low to Moderate Income Areas. This project supports
the surfacing of streets in Census tract 34.02, a low to moderate income area.
- Lombard Parcel Acquisition. The City Council entered into a letter of
intent to purchase 40.89 acres of land for $5.3 million. Two 7-acre parcels are
to be used for a school/park site with the remaining two parcels to be used for
affordable housing. As part of the agreement, the City agreed to swap Parcel D
for an equivalent sized parcel along Lombard Street. The swap would take place
after the owners entered into an Affordable Housing agreement with the City to
provide 115 affordable housing units to be offered for sale to the public. The
City agreed to contribute the 20-acre site to the project to lower the cost to
the buyers.
- Park Rehabilitation Improvements. This project funds the design,
engineering, and construction for improvements in City parks serving low to
moderate income areas. Projects considered for funding: Thompson Park (Phase
II), Colonia Park, and Del Sol Park
- Graffiti Removal Program. This project funds a Citywide graffiti removal
program. The combination of general Funds and CDBG funding allows for the
employment of a graffiti removal hotline, maintenance crews to coordinate the
removal of graffiti and supplies. This project also funds an educational and
neighborhood involvement program. This bi-lingual program develops community
awareness and assists neighborhood councils with monitoring and prevention
functions.
- Recreation Facility Rehabilitation. This project funds the rehabilitation
of the Wilson Senior Center, the Wilson Arts Building, and the Durley Park and
Community Center kitchen areas.
- Commercial Loan Program. The project funds the Economic Development
Revolving Loan Program. Because of a public/private leverage agreement
consisting of 65% private and 35 % public, this increment of funding will
provide for business development projects for businesses that are expanding or
locating in the Oxnard area. Funds in the form of direct loans and/or interest
subsidy write-down, will create or retain job opportunities for low to moderate
income persons.
ONE-YEAR ACTION PLAN
This action plan for FY 1995/1996 outlines the planned activities pertaining
to affordable housing, homeless programs, non-housing community development and
public services for the City of Oxnard.
| FY 1995/1996 | |
|---|
| Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) | $ 3,246,000 |
| HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME) | 734,000 |
| Emergency Shelter Grant Program (ESGP) | 103,000 |
| Public Housing Comprehensive Grant (CGP) | 3,081,231 |
| Section 8 Rental Assistance Program | 10,120,565 |
| Low Rent Public Housing | 2,962,457 |
| Drug Elimination | 249,998 |
| Family Investment Center | 1,000,000 |
| Youth Sports Program Grant | 125,000 |
| City Redevelopment Housing Fund | 2,671,302 |
| HUD Section 202 award to Mercy Charities Housing | 3,200,000 |
| State Tax Credits for Mercy Charities Housing Development | 4,800,000 |
In addition, the City is anticipating $80,963 in CDBG program income from
the economic development Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) to be dedicated for that
purpose in FY 1995-96. An additional $210,431 is to be reprogrammed from
existing public facilities and improvements projects and closeouts of completed
projects funded by CDBG to proposed public facilities and improvements projects.
| Description of Key Projects |
|---|
| 3. | Lombard Parcel Acquisition | CDBG |
$465,600 |
| 4. | Human Services Program (Fair Housing) | CDBG | 69,938 |
| 5. | Legal Services (Housing Element) | CDBG | 50,000 |
| 6. | Housing Rehabilitation Administration | CDBG | 214,020 |
| 7. | HOME Program Administration | HOME | 73,400 |
| 8. | CHDO Operations | HOME | 36,700 |
| 9. | CHDO Construction | HOME | 123,900 |
| 10. | Housing Rehabilitation (HOME) | HOME | 400,000
|
| 11. | Fair Housing | CDBG | 27,500 |
| 13. | Affordable Housing Program | CDBG | 121,381 |
| 14. | Homeless Assistance Program | CDBG | 62,900 |
| 15. | Emergency Shelter Grant Program (Administration) | ESG | 5,150 |
| 16. | Emergency Shelter Grant Program | ESG | 97,850 |
| 18. | Neighborhood Street Improvements | CDBG | 960,000 |
| 19. | Economic Development Business Relocation | CDBG | 75,000 |
| 20. | Youth Development Program | CDBG | 486,900 |
| 22. | Park Rehabilitation Improvements | CDBG | 440,000 |
| 26. | Grant Administration and Support (Indirect Costs) | CDBG | 235,302 |
| 27. | Neighborhood Services Program | CDBG | 77,890 |
| 28. | Graffiti Removal Program | CDBG | 130,000 |
| 29. | Homeownership Assistance (HOME) | HOME | 100,000 |
| 30. | Economic Development Revolving Loan Program | CDBG | 80,963 |
| 31. | Recreation Facility Rehabilitation | CDBG | 40,000 |
Lead Agencies
City of Oxnard, CA.
Oxnard Housing Authority
Maps
MAP 1 depicts points of interest in the jurisdiction
MAP 2 depicts points of interest and low-moderate income areas.
MAP 3 depicts points of interest, low-moderate income areas, and minority
concentration levels.
MAP 4 depicts points of interest, low-moderate income areas, and
unemployment levels.
MAP 5 depicts points of interest, low-moderate income areas, and proposed
HUD funded projects.
MAP 6 depicts Neighborhood Segments and streets with proposed HUD funded
projects.
TABLE (without associated map) provides information
about the project(s).
To comment on Oxnard's Consolidated Plan, please contact:
Cheryl Hamilton
Financial Analyst III
City of Oxnard
Grant Management Program
300 West Third Street
Oxnard, CA 93030
PH: (805) 385-7471
Return to California's Consolidated Plans.
