Camarillo City Council
AGENDA REPORT
Date: January 28, 2026
To: Honorable Mayor and City Councilmembers
From: Greg Ramirez, City Manager
Submitted by: Philip Lanzafame, Interim Director of Community Development Subject: Camarillo Workforce Housing Down Payment Assistance Program – Loan Approval
BACKGROUND
On December 14, 2022, the City established the Camarillo Workforce Housing Down Payment Assistance Program (DAP). The DAP provides eligible first-time homebuyers with up to a $50,000 down payment assistance loan for the purchase of a home in Camarillo. The loan does not require monthly payments and accrues 3% simple interest.
One balloon payment for the loan and interest amount is due at the end of the fifteen- year term. This assistance reduces the amount of the loan needed from the primary mortgage lender and reduces the monthly cost of housing to the household.
The DAP provides priority to local Camarillo residents and employees that work in Camarillo. Additional priority is granted to low-income households and to Camarillo residents within three identified census tracts (54.03, 53.04, and 55.02) that have a high level of overcrowding, an unusually high-concentration of minorities, or a very high senior population in line with the Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing Goals of the City’s Housing Element.
The City has received grant funds in advance totaling $782,232, and to date, thirteen $50,000 DAP loans have been approved for issuance by the City Council. One household previously approved by the City Council withdrew from the program and the funds allocated to them are available to issue a loan to a different qualified household. The Camarillo Workforce Housing Down Payment Assistance Program is currently being administered, implemented, and marketed by City staff.
DISCUSSION
Staff are requesting the City Council’s authorization to issue a $50,000 Downpayment Assistance Program Loan, reference number 25-14, to a three-person household for the
Camarillo Workforce Housing Down Payment Assistance Program January 28, 2026
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purchase of a three-bedroom and two-bath attached single-family residence. The unit is restricted to low-income buyers and is being sold to a qualified household.
FISCAL IMPACT
Grant funds are available for this loan approval.
CONFORMANCE WITH ADOPTED CITY COUNCIL POLICIES
2021-2029 Housing Element Housing Program 14: Provide down payment assistance to lower-income, moderate-income workforce households.
The DAP loan is consistent with this program because the DAP is designed to support lower, moderate-income, and workforce households.
CEQA DETERMINATIONS
City staff has determined, in accordance with Section 15061(b)(3) of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines, that the Camarillo Workforce Housing Down Payment Assistance Program is not subject to CEQA review because it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the Camarillo Workforce Housing Down Payment Assistance Program may have a significant effect on the environment. In this case, a first-time homebuyer loan can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility to have a significant effect on the environment. Therefore, this item is exempt from CEQA.
RECOMMENDATION
1. Find that the Camarillo Workforce Housing Down Payment Assistance Program is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) under the State CEQA Guidelines §§ 15061(b)(3); and
2. Adopt a Resolution authorizing the approval of a $50,000 loan disbursement and authorizing the City Manager to execute all associated documents, including acceptance of the associated deed of trust.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Resolution
REFERENCE MATERIALS – AVAILABLE FOR REVIEW AT CITY HALL None