Every March, the City Council reviews our progress on housing. This year’s annual report brings a mix of significant wins and a clear-eyed look at the challenges still ahead.

After years of sluggish growth – where most new housing was small backyard cottages (ADUs) – we saw a massive jump in 2025. New units under construction increased more than fourfold compared to the previous year.

* 2024: 82 units started
* 2025: 340 units started

A major driver of this growth is the Timber School project at Newbury and Kelly Roads, construction of which is now under way.

The momentum isn't slowing down. We expect construction numbers to climb even higher next year. Three major projects – TO Ranch, Oakwell, and the 500 East T.O. Blvd. project – represent nearly 1,100 new units. This will go a long way toward clearing the city’s backlog of around 1,600 already entitled units. [1] [2]

Also, for the first time since 2021, developers broke ground on designated affordable units. This includes 26 "low-income" units and one "very low-income" unit.

What does “low income" actually mean? It’s many in our local workforce, not those in dire poverty. In Ventura County, a family of four earning almost $120,000 is considered low-income. In Thousand Oaks, the threshold is likely even higher.

While this progress is encouraging, we still have a steep hill to climb. To meet our state-mandated goals by 2029, we still need to build over 1,100 more units for low- and very-low-income residents.

While increasing the supply of homes is vital, "more housing" doesn't automatically mean "affordable housing." I believe it’s a mistake to view housing affordability only in simple supply-and-demand terms. More supply is necessary, but it’s only one piece of the puzzle.

As Professor Jamshid Damooei of CLU recently noted, we must also address stagnant wages and financial systems that make it harder for young families and seniors to stay in our community. [3]

Building more is a start, but we must ensure we are building the right kind of housing to keep Thousand Oaks a vibrant, livable place for everyone.

#housing #affordablehousing #thousandoaks #conejovalley #venturacounty #tocc

Interested in the Thousand Oaks Downtown Master Plan? City staff is seeking your comments on the project's draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR), a comprehensive document published late last week.

The public comment period runs through April 20. Staff will include your comments in the final version of the EIR to be presented to the Planning Commission and City Council.

EIRs are wide-ranging documents, describing possible impacts on air quality, noise, public safety, traffic, and many other factors. Whenever a project is found to have a significant impact on any given area, the EIR describes how to mitigate that impact.

Just as with the six workshops held last spring, public input on the EIR is an important step as the project moves toward entitlement.

To read the draft EIR or any of its appendices, click through to the page linked in the graphic in this post. The draft EIR is under the "Documents & Recordings" column at the right.

Please send any comments to planning division manager Krystin Rice. I won't tempt the spambots by posting her email address here, but it is available on the page linked in the graphic, at the bottom of the "Documents & Recordings" column at the right.

Again, the public comment period on this draft EIR runs through April 20. Thanks in advance for your input!

#planning #urbanplanning #thousandoaks #venturacounty #tocc

https://toaks.gov/index.php?section=environmental&projectsection=5&project=85

3/9 6:50AM THOUSAND OAKS; La Migra Esta En Thousand Oaks! Nissan Pathfinder Negro, Esta por el 101, La Calle Lynn. Tenga Cuidado! Mantengase Alerta!

#ICE #thousandoaks

Thousand Oaks Active Transportation Plan has been posted, they are taking comments through Tuesday. Worth reading it through if you are in the area and would like to help shape the plans here. (biggest hurdle, imho, is the city has zero normal budget allocated to any of these, and relies on applying for grants).

https://www.toaksatp.org/documentation

#ConejoValley #BikeTooter #Cycling #Pedestrians #Infrastructure #ThousandOaks #NewburyPark

Reminder: Public comments on the draft Active Transportation Plan – which covers ways to make our city more bike- and pedestrian-friendly – are due by this Tuesday, March 10. There’s a link to the draft and a comment form at https://www.toaksatp.org/documentation

Although the Bicycle Advisory Team (BAT) and Traffic and Transportation and Advisory Commission (TTAC) have already reviewed the draft, it’s also important to gather public input.

Please post comments on the city’s web page, not here!

#activetransportation #cycling #pedestriansafety #safestreets #thousandoaks #tocc

Free Bicycle Repair Workshop - Thousand Oaks

Saturday, March 7, 2026 | 2:00 pm

Do you have a bicycle collecting dust in your garage that’s in need of repair? Not sure how to fix it? Athens Services, in partnership with the City of Thousand Oaks, invites you to a free bicycle repair workshop on Saturday, March 7th, from 2-4 pm at the Dos Vientos Community Center (4801 Borchard Road in Newbury Park).

Led by knowledgeable volunteer bicycle technicians, this hands-on clinic will teach you how to handle basic bike repairs using simple household tools. You’ll learn practical skills like repairing a flat tire, adjusting brakes, making a safety check, and fixing other minor mechanical issues. Repairing your bicycle instead of replacing it is a small action you can take that delivers big benefits. You’ll save money, extend the life of your bike, and help reduce unnecessary waste headed to the landfill.

Bring your bike and be ready to roll up your sleeves, turn some wrenches, and learn new skills… all while doing something good for the environment.

Location:
Dos Vientos Community Center Park
4801 Borchard Road
Newbury Park, California 91320

https://toaks.gov/index.php?section=events&evtid=464

#ConejoValley #ThousandOaks #NewburyPark #BikeTooter

Hmm, maybe I will head over there if I'm not doing anything else, and see what it is about. (not that I need any bicycles repaired, lol)

Upcoming Event: Bicycle Repair Workshop
Next Meeting Details
📅 Date: March 7th (Saturday)
🕙 Time: 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
📍 Location: Dos Vientos Community Center
4801 Borchard Rd, Newbury Park, CA 91320 

The Bicycle Repair Workshop begins at 2:00 PM in the Dos Vientos Community Center at 4801 Borchard Rd, Newbury Park, CA 91320.

https://www.toaksatp.org/project-status

#BikeTooter #ConejoValley #ThousandOaks #NewburyPark #BikeRepair