New Case Study Posted on HUD User

Ventura, California: Affordable Farmworker Housing Designed for Sustainability and Climate Resiliency

HUD User publishes a series of case studies based on federal, state, and local strategies that increase affordable housing opportunities and support sustainable community development. The projects and community development efforts featured in these reports have demonstrated innovation through a multitude of partnerships and initiatives.

Opened in 2019, Rancho Verde provides 24 units of affordable housing for farmworkers in Ventura County, California. The county’s agriculture industry is the 11th largest in the nation, as measured by crop value. Yet the industry’s low- and extremely low-income farmworkers struggle to afford the high cost of housing in the area, and many end up living in substandard units. Rancho Verde helps address this need by adding quality, affordable options for farmworkers. Consistent with smart growth principles, Rancho Verde’s sustainable design incorporates green building materials, energy-efficient appliances, and water-conserving features. The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Platinum-certified development operates at net-zero energy.

Visit HUD User’s Case Studies page to learn more about affordable housing and to view other innovative community revitalization strategies.