Oxnard—The City Council, Tuesday, January 6, heard an update from the housing and Community Development presentation.
Housing Director Brenda Lopez, along with Assistant Community Development Director Jeff Pengilly presented the item to the Council, and Lopez said her entire management team was involved.
Lopez said there are seven divisions with 68 employees in the Housing Department.
“Something unique in the City of Oxnard is that the local housing authority is embedded and part of the Housing Department,” she said. “That is not unique across the United States, but at least here locally, most housing are standalone.”
In the City’s case, she said they are part of the Housing Department, and both departments have worked together and they have separate budgets.
“In the Housing Authority’s case, the programs are funded by the Department of Housing and Urban Development, (HUD),” she said. “The Housing Authority has about a $40 million budget, and the funds come from HUD.”
Lopez said they also have the Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) and Public Housing.
“Both provide subsidized assistance to families,” she said.
The City also has rent stabilization, grants management, economic development, affordable housing, and the homeless services division.
“The Section 8 is part…
