Earlier this week I posted a story about the negative effects that high real estate costs in Ventura County might have on local business. Essentially, the area cannot provide housing for the average worker, forcing them into housing in other areas, and usually, jobs in other areas.
That topic was the main issue at this year's third annual Ventura County Housing Conference. Panel experts at the conference pointed out that aside from high land prices, restrictive zoning and planning delays had become serious impediments to affordable housing in the county, creating a median home price that exceeded $514,000.
According to Rick Cole, Ventura City Manager, "We're going to make it possible to build homes in Ventura, across all types of price ranges...". Cole further stated that the city must simplify restrictive zoning and make the permitting process more predictable.
Others pointed out that overly restrictive environmental regulations, stringent
construction standards, and high workers' compensation and insurance premiums were also to blame.
Ultimately, most experts agreed that in order to create affordable housing in Ventura, buyers will have to lower their expectations regarding property size, and the space between properties, summarizing the problem as a density issue.
Based on the plethora of problems limiting affordable housing in Ventura, one thing seems clear: Don't expect affordable housing in Ventura County anytime soon, without the price of real estate dropping drastically.