Introducing Ventura County YIMBY

Max Ghenis
Nov 6 · 2 min read

California’s unprecedented housing shortage affects all parts of the state, and Ventura County is no exception. Like many of our state’s 58 counties, we have fewer housing units per adult, a lower vacancy rate, steeper rents, higher poverty and homelessness rates, and longer commutes than the rest of the nation. When we do build, we do so in an increasingly unsustainable way — further from jobs and transit and deeper into fire-prone areas.

A statewide movement is building momentum to do better. Groups like California YIMBY, YIMBY Action, Abundant Housing LA, and many more are supporting housing for people of all income levels, family structures, and ages. They’re saying “California is for everyone” and “Yes to people, yes to housing,” with the message that abundant housing can bring “Affordability, livability, and sustainability.”

We agree. That’s why we — a group of pro-housing activists across Ventura County — are excited to launch Ventura County YIMBY.

Ventura County YIMBY (“Yes In My Back Yard”) will promote a range of policies to build more livable cities. We will:

  • Fight for housing here in Ventura County as well as statewide. We recognize that the choices of our neighboring areas affect us too.
  • Focus on legalizing infill multifamily housing in job- and transit-rich areas, the key to inclusion without sprawl. Ventura County’s natural ecosystems are both stunning and vital, and they deserve protection.
  • Advocate for cleaner transportation infrastructure like transit, protected bike lanes, and safe walkways. We want people to have more options not only about where to live, but also how to get around.
  • Champion programs that ensure housing security for our low-income and homeless neighbors. We know that a healthy housing stock is necessary but not sufficient for creating socioeconomically inclusive communities.

While our group is formally new to the county, we’ve already been inspired by the enthusiasm for the cause. Our neighbors have told us that there’s a problem, and now they’re looking for tractable solutions. We believe supporting more homes is such a solution, but we can’t do it alone.

If you’d like to help, we’d love to hear from you. Every action makes a difference, from emailing your city councilmember to lobbying state legislators in Sacramento to simply sharing your own housing story at our regular meetings.

To learn more, check out our website, sign up for our list, email us, join our Facebook group, or follow us on Twitter and here on Medium. We look forward to building a more inclusive, sustainable Ventura County with you!

Ventura County YIMBY

We’re saying “yes” to housing in Ventura County. vcyimby.org

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