Something remarkable is happening on Santa Barbara’s Mesa. What might have been an ordinary demolition project is instead becoming a model for sustainability, innovation, and community impact. Crews are hard at work on a residential deconstruction project, carefully dismantling a home to salvage reusable materials and divert them from our already overburdened landfills.

The City of Ventura, in partnership with ForeFront Power, has started construction on two solar energy projects at Ventura Community Park and the Police/Fire Headquarters. Together, these projects will deliver 900 kilowatt-DC (kW DC) of renewable energy through solar parking canopies at both sites.

Steven Stenzler, left, and Michael Gunning, center, with moderator Mack Carlson, discuss the issues facing the housing industry in the year ahead. The panel was held at the 2024 Santa Barbara Housing Conference on Thursday, December 5.

Governor Newsom signed into law a comprehensive bipartisan housing package to build on California’s long-term strategy to help address homelessness and housing scarcity.

Cooperative housing is gaining momentum as an innovative solution to the housing affordability crisis in the U.S. Projects like Seattle's Corvidae Co-op showcase collaborative ownership models that blend architectural creativity with financial inclusivity.

Becoming a Habitat for Humanity homeowner is no easy feat. It’s a path that demands determination, commitment, and an unwavering belief in the promise of a better future. For one Santa Barbara family, this journey is about more than just building a house—it’s about building stability, opportunity, and a brighter tomorrow.