Villa Solimar is a unique 32-unit townhouse style apartment complex in Oxnard that offers the lowest rents in the city for a three-bedroom affordable unit. Each building has it’s own individual courtyard and the complex has a children’s playground and community room where resident meetings and recreational activities are held. Villa Solimar has a strong community building focus where the resident manager organizes tenant meetings, hosts holiday gatherings and coordinates special programs with local community organizations to provide services such as health screenings and Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) presentations.

The manager of Villa Solimar, Jannet Mendez says, “Over half the families currently residing here are the original families that moved here in 1995. Villa Solimar has offered 32 families a comfortable and peaceful place to live for eight years. Families feel happy and enjoy their home because they know their children grow up in a safe environment and that is the most important thing.”

Evangelina Estrada, one of Villa Solimar’s original residents shares her story of life at Villa Solimar: “I’ve lived here since they opened up the apartments, as a matter of fact I was one of the first ones to move in. Honestly, of all the places I’ve ever lived in, it is the best. I love it here. The people are very nice and the management, I’ve got to give them credit, they do an excellent job. Any problems you have, they take care of it right away. They have activities for the residents like Thanksgiving dinner and parties for the kids. You know a lot of people are busy, they have to work and a lot of times you forget to say “hi” or “good morning.” These resident activities are a good time to talk with your neighbors. I let them know that if there is anything they need, we’re here to help because I consider this place like family.

I have three kids, two sons in the military and my daughter is studying to become a nurse. Where I used to live before, you would have to be careful and try not to let your kids out. Here, when one of my sons who is in the Marines was sent to Iraq, all my neighbors would come by and say that they were praying for us and to have faith that God would bring him home. I have good neighbors and I count living here as a blessing. I feel fortunate that there are places like this where people who really can’t afford to go out and buy a house, instead can afford to live in a nice place. I think if we all work together this is going to be a beautiful place for a long time.

I really want to thank Cabrillo for everything, because without them there wouldn’t be a place like Villa Solimar. I would also like to say thank you to Jannet, she’s a very nice person and a great property manager.”