Santa Barbara County Motel Transformed Into Supportive Housing (Video)

Johnny was living in his car before he moved into his new home at Buena Tierra, a permanent supportive housing development for people exiting homelessness. 

“For a person that was unhoused to go to having a roof over his head is great,” said Johnny, who recently joined local leaders and community members to celebrate the community’s grand opening. “I love it.” 

Located in Santa Barbara County, Buena Tierra was developed by the Housing Authority of Santa Barbara County, which worked closely with both the City of Goleta and the City of Santa Barbara to create a housing community that sits directly atop the cities’ borderline. 

HCD’s Homekey program provided over $18 million to fund the conversion of a rundown former motel into 60 homes for individuals and families exiting homelessness, with supportive services available to all residents. 

“A person’s road to recovery from whatever it was that was going on in their lives that caused them to experience homelessness has to begin with the stabilization that a safe, decent affordable place to live provides,” said John Polansky, Director of Housing Development for the Housing Authority. 

 With voter approval of Proposition 1 and the launch of HCD’s new Homekey+ program, more permanent supportive housing like Buena Tierra will be made possible across the state. 

“I am very appreciative and very thankful,” said Johnny. “Sometimes I wake up in the morning and I say, ‘God, I thank you.’ And I do. I mean it from the bottom of my heart.”