Homeownership Challenges Identified at June 6 Event

About 120 people attended the June 6, 2026 Ventura County Homebuying Conference presented by My Way Home, in order to access education, resources, and trusted guidance on the path to financial stability and homeownership. HOME participated to better understand the barriers people face when trying to buy a home and to share practical information about ways to overcome those challenges.

Primary Financial Barriers

As expected, the most common homebuying challenges were financial: Many individuals and families cannot afford most homes currently on the market, even with combined household incomes.

• Very few homes are available for purchase below $1 million.

• High living costs make it difficult to save for a down payment and other homebuying expenses.

• Rising interest rates and home prices create pressure to act quickly.

• First-time homebuyers are often outbid by cash offers above the asking price.

Participants also said they would consider smaller, lower-cost homes—such as single-family cottages under 1,000 square feet, duplexes, triplexes, condominiums, or townhomes—if those options were available within their price range and had manageable HOA fees. However, these types of homes are not widely available in the current market.

Additional Challenges in the Homebuying Process

• Understanding the homebuying and financing process.

• Feeling overwhelmed and worried about making a costly mistake.

• Finding homes that meet specific needs, such as accessibility, multigenerational living, household size, or preferred location.

In response, we shared information about several strategies that could make homeownership more attainable, including partnership arrangements, financial assistance programs, and income-generating opportunities. We also discussed and distributed resources, methods, and innovations that may help reduce the cost of purchasing a home.

Next Steps

However, some of these homebuying approaches are not widely used—or are not currently allowed—in parts of Ventura County and its ten cities. This highlights the need for continued advocacy. Professional organizations and community members, especially aspiring homebuyers, can help advance more affordable homeownership options by engaging local leaders. Insights gathered at this conference will help HOME inform and strengthen those efforts.