Meet Organizational Member: The Housing Trust Fund Ventura County
The basics
Linda Braunschweiger
CEO
Housing Trust Fund Ventura County
Tell us about yourself, and your organization’s mission
I am a second generation native Californian. My first job out of San Diego State University was working in Washington, D.C. for a CA US Senator. Then I had the amazing opportunity to work for the White House on the Advance Team. After I earned my MBA, I transitioned into the “family” business of banking. A political appointment in Sacramento at the CA Housing Finance Agency fanned my passion for affordable housing. Returning to So CA, I followed my entrepreneurial spirit by starting two companies which lead to my role originally as a contract CEO, now an employee, of the Housing Trust Fund Ventura County (HTFVC).
HTFVC’s mission is to support more housing choices, by generating and leveraging financial resources, working in partnership with the public, private, and non-profit sectors throughout Ventura County. Since the HTFVC’s inception in 2011, as a 501c3 nonprofit corporation, it has become the local trusted leader in helping to increase affordable housing options throughout Ventura County. The HTF leverages public-private partnerships to provide low-cost, flexible loans early in the housing development cycle. As of July 2019, HTF has invested $8.5 million through its revolving loan fund, creating 305 affordable apartments and homes for very-low, low- and moderate income employees, transitional age foster youth, veterans, farm workers, and the homeless.
What’s happening at the Housing Trust Fund Ventura County – any recent highlights, milestones or upcoming events?
Housing Trust Fund Ventura County has a rare opportunity to bring a $10 million dollar matching grant from California State Proposition 1 to Ventura County to fund new affordable housing development. Our community continues to be one of most expensive places to live in the Country. Housing prices are driving the cost of living out of reach for many residents of Ventura County and having a significant impact on the economic stability of our community. We are asking individuals, businesses, foundations, and government to invest in HTFVC and Be the Match!
Recently we completed a rebranding campaign, changed our name slightly to Housing Trust Fund Ventura County, and have a beautiful new logo.
What about the Housing Trust Fund Ventura County is particularly special to you, what would you like our readers to know?
Our new tag line is: Everyone deserves a home! This is the very reason my dedicated Board of Directors, staff and I work so hard to raise lending capital so affordable homes in Ventura County can be experienced by all in need. The feeling of giving a family who once lived in horrid conditions the keys to their new home is an amazing feeling. Lives are changed.
Why did you think it was important to become an organizational member and/or donor of the Center for Nonprofit Leadership?
The Center for Nonprofit Leadership provides top notch training specific to the issues nonprofits deal with daily. The staff is knowledgeable about our challenges, know how to find answers to our questions, and can be a shoulder to cry on when we need support. The Center is an amazing asset in our community.
What do you value most about your membership?
Our membership provides the opportunity to network, collaborate, learn from, and celebrate milestones with my fellow nonprofit leaders.
Anything else you’d like to add?
Everyone deserves a home!
More
- Cal Lutheran launches new school
Thu January 23, 2020California Lutheran University has formed a new school focused on education beyond traditional bachelor’s and graduate degrees.
- Cal Lutheran CERF gives 2019 VC forecast
Thu October 31, 2019The 2019 Ventura County Economic Forecast Conference will feature analyses of local data and a panel discussion of innovative ideas for improving the region’s economy. The event will also include the Ventura County release of the 2019 Latino Development Collaborative U.S. Latino GDP Report.
- Play recounts revolt by a Spanish village
Tue October 29, 2019California Lutheran University is staging a historical play by Spain’s most popular Golden Age playwright that speaks to the power of people to overcome oppression, both then and now.
- State's former poet laureate to read verse
Mon October 7, 2019A free Oct. 23 event at California Lutheran University will feature a reading and lecture by California’s most recent poet laureate and a choral performance of one of his poems.
- Latinos' economic output quantified
Thu September 26, 2019Researchers from California Lutheran University’s Center for Economic Research and Forecasting and the UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine released the 2019 Latino Development Collaborative U.S. Latino GDP Report today.
- Cal Lutheran students to present research
Wed September 25, 2019More than 60 of California Lutheran University’s top undergraduates will present their findings at the 16th Annual Student Research Symposium on Saturday, Oct. 12.
- University adds ethnic/race studies major
Tue September 17, 2019California Lutheran University is adding an ethnic and race studies major to help students gain a deeper understanding of communities of color in the United States and build cultural competence in working with diverse groups.
- US News ranks Cal Lutheran 9th in West
Mon September 9, 2019California Lutheran University has jumped to its highest spot ever in the U.S. News Best Colleges rankings, ninth among regional universities in the West.
- Expert examines college retention for men
Thu July 25, 2019A California Lutheran University faculty member co-authored a just-released book on addressing the difficulties that men from underrepresented groups encounter in college, and he will discuss the topic during a livestreamed interview next week.
- First-generation graduates to keynote
Thu May 9, 2019Two first-generation college students who found their career paths as undergraduates at California Lutheran University will speak on behalf of more than 500 people picking up advanced degrees at the 2019 Graduate Commencement on Friday, May 17.