Santa Barbara opens Bella Vista affordable housing project

The Housing Authority of the City of Santa Barbara has officially opened Bella Vista, a new affordable housing complex located at 200 North La Cumbre Road. The project provides approximately 47 to 48 residential units, including a mix of one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments designed specifically for low-income families.

Residents are selected from the Housing Authority’s waitlist and utilize Section 8 housing vouchers. Under this program, tenants pay approximately 30% of their income toward rent, with the remainder subsidized by the federal government. The units are tiered based on Area Median Income (AMI), with allocations for households earning 30%, 50%, and 60% of the area's median income.

The development was chosen for its proximity to public transit, grocery stores, and Hope Elementary School. The project, which began with a property purchase in 2019, features a farmhouse-style exterior, community garden spaces, and amenities such as patios and open-concept kitchens.