The Housing Authority of the City of San Buenaventura (HACSB) proudly joined Westview Village residents in celebrating the success of their thriving community garden and the official ribbon-cutting of a new storage shed. The shed, a long-awaited addition, will provide the much-needed space for gardening supplies, allowing residents to continue cultivating fresh produce and fostering healthy living for their families.
The Westview Village Community Garden initiative began in 2010 when residents advocated for the conversion of community space into garden areas, promoting a healthy lifestyle through the cultivation of fruits and vegetables. When HACSB began redevelopment discussions for Westview Village, the residents emphasized the importance of maintaining these community gardens as part of the project’s design.
Responding to the residents’ call, HACSB incorporated the community garden into the redevelopment plans in two phases: Phase I included the initial establishment of the garden, and Phase III saw its expansion. Today, the garden connects both phases, symbolizing the community’s growth and collaboration.
With the garden’s expansion came the increased need for tools and storage. While the original redevelopment plan did not include a storage solution, the gardeners, in partnership with HACSB’s Community Services Department, worked together to identify and prepare a site for a new, spacious storage shed.
“I am beyond thrilled that we can support the community gardeners with such an incredible resource,” said Sergio Arias, Community Services Coordinator and key liaison for the gardeners. “They are a passionate group of individuals committed to providing their families with fresh produce, and this shed is a well-deserved addition. You know, gardening is a lot like life: it takes a little dirt to grow something beautiful.”
The celebration was marked by a ribbon-cutting ceremony led by Jeffrey Lambert, CEO of HACSB, and Jaime Lopez, Co-Chair of the Community Garden Committee. “I’m truly impressed by the dedication and teamwork of the gardeners in nurturing this vibrant space,” Lambert shared. “Their commitment to supporting one another and promoting healthy lifestyles through the garden is nothing short of inspiring. We’re proud of the hard work that they are doing and will continue to provide our support as they cultivate not just crops, but a stronger, healthier community.”
The new shed stands as a testament to the collaborative spirit of Westview Village residents and their ongoing commitment to sustainability, community, and well-being.
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About the Housing Authority of the City of San Buenaventura
The HACSB is the largest residential landlord in the City of Ventura with more than 1,480 Housing Choice Vouchers and 1097 affordable rental units. The mission of the Housing Authority of the City of San Buenaventura is to provide and develop quality affordable housing for eligible low-income residents of Ventura County and to establish strong partnerships necessary for HACSB customers to achieve personal goals related to literacy and education; health and wellness; and job training and employment leading to personal growth and economic self-sufficiency.