{"id":1618,"date":"2015-07-19T10:32:46","date_gmt":"2015-07-19T17:32:46","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/luishmoreno.com\/?p=1618"},"modified":"2019-07-02T09:23:49","modified_gmt":"2019-07-02T16:23:49","slug":"remembering-colonia-village-part-i","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/luishmoreno.com\/?p=1618","title":{"rendered":"Remembering Colonia Village, Part I"},"content":{"rendered":"

Part I – Series On The History Of Colonia Village:<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

\"Untitled\"<\/a>

My mother with her mother, Colonia Village (1952). Courtesy of the author\u2019s family collection.<\/p><\/div>\n

In 2014, Oxnard Housing Authority<\/em><\/strong> began the first phase\u00a0of demolishing Colonia Village<\/em><\/strong>, a public-housing tract\u00a0in La Colonia<\/em><\/strong>. Just like the house on Bonita Avenue<\/strong><\/em>, the housing projects is an essential part of my mother’s history.<\/p>\n

\"Untitled\"<\/a>

“Carlos Gomez.” Source: “70 Families Named for Colonia Village,” Oxnard Press-Courier, 17 Apr 1952.<\/p><\/div>\n

In 1952, my grandparents, Carlos and Margarita were part of the first group of residents to live in Colonia Village<\/em><\/strong>. In the same year, my mother was born in a house on Bernmarda Court<\/strong><\/em>.<\/p>\n

The following is an excerpt\u00a0from my manuscript (rough draft),\u00a0Searching for Memories in\u00a0La Colonia: Migration, Labor, and Activism In Oxnard, California, 1930-1980<\/em>, focusing on the history of Colonia Village<\/em>.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Since the 1940s, city officials utilized numerous federal housing policies and acts, like National Housing Act of 1934, Housing Act of 1949, and Housing Act of 1954 to segregate the Mexican community on the Oxnard Plain. City officials and realtors used those acts in redlining neighborhoods and developing restrictive covenants in preventing Mexicans from moving into certain areas in Oxnard. In 1945, the Oxnard Housing Authority (OHA) was formed to deal with the substandard housing and the demands for temporary housing for the nearby naval bases.[1]<\/a> By November 1945, the housing authority applied for a 600-unit slum clearance project from the federal government, its key target area was La Colonia.[2]<\/a><\/p>\n

Two years later, the Planning Commission requested a housing survey of La Colonia. The housing authority conducted the survey and found at least 408 units lacked private baths, 304 units no private toilets and 95 units with no running water.[3]<\/a>\u00a0Housing\u00a0Director George Wallace reported that they received \u201cexcellent cooperation\u201d from the Mexican community and the \u201cColonia residents are not being criticized, but facts are merely being presented.\u201d[4]<\/a> Moreover, the housing authority pushed to expand the survey area to the entire city, with the goal of using the information to apply for a federal housing project.<\/p>\n

By 1949, Director Wallace indicated in his annual report to the city council that 31 percent of the city housing was in substandard conditions. The Oxnard Chamber of Commerce criticized the findings as being false and demanded a correction. Wallace responded, \u201cwe have to face facts\u201d and \u201cthe only people who would object to facing facts are slum landlords.\u201d[5]<\/a> On September 20, Director Wallace and OHA\u00a0chairman Robert Beardsby called on the city to apply to the federal Public Housing Administration (PHA) for $210,000 dollars to fund a citywide survey on the housing crisis. In addition, they called for the development of 800 low-rent permanent housing units.[6]<\/a> The housing authority\u2019s goal was \u201cnot only low-rent housing but obliteration of blight in Oxnard.\u201d[7]<\/a> The 800 units \u201cwould replace existing substandard housing, and would be for low income families.\u201d[8]<\/a> The funds would develop a survey \u201cto justify\u2019 the need for low income housing in Oxnard.[9]<\/a><\/p>\n

The city council suggested a public meeting to discuss the housing authority plan and the housing crisis. Mayor Carty stated, \u201cwe must be sure the people understand the need and what we are doing, and are behind us.\u201d[10]<\/a> The Housing Authority, City Council, and Planning Commission met to discuss a plan to replace slum and blighted areas of the city with new low-income housing. Director Wallace called for the hiring of an outside expert to conduct a survey of the blighted areas. The survey would be used to seek funding from the PHA. Wallace stated, \u201clet\u2019s not think of tearing down houses so much as building up families.\u201d[11]<\/a><\/p>\n

By November, the city council still took no action on the low-income housing plan after hearing public debate on the issue. Mayor Carty mentioned throughout the debate that no matter the outcome the city still needed to condemn more than 200 units \u201cregardless of whether they are replaced by low-rent housing.\u201d[12]<\/a> The council understood the importance of developing new housing but the main issue was over the signing of the contract to receiving PHA funding. The contract would tie the city to a \u201ccertain agreement to last until the last housing bond is paid off.\u201d[13]<\/a><\/p>\n

There was also opposition to the low-income housing from the Oxnard Harbor District Real Estate Board. Moreover, OHA\u00a0board member Jesus N. Jimmez stated that, \u201cthis [is] a human problem and it must be done [i.e. building new housing & removing slum housing] because were are also human. If you figure in the expense of crime, juvenile delinquency, tuberculosis, it is a saving proposition for the city.\u201d[14]<\/a> Furthermore, Director Wallace added, \u201cthe authority for several years has been studying this problem and now is our golden opportunity\u2026we urge you to take action now.\u201d[15]<\/a><\/p>\n

On November 30, city council announced they were moving forward with a modified PHA agreement to bring low-income housing to the city.[16]<\/a> A few weeks later, the PHA authorized 260 low-rent housing units to city, only if the city council agrees to it.[17]<\/a> Again, they took no action and called for another public meeting on the issue. The city officials wanted to know if the citizens of Oxnard wanted public financed low-rent housing. In addition, the city moved to establish a \u201cslum clearance program\u201d to demolition Oxnard\u2019s worst housing.[18]<\/a> The city building inspector Hugh Clark with Joseph Maier of the county health department were assigned to focus on identifying key target areas. After several weeks, Clark and Maier identified La Colonia and downtown as key areas.[19]<\/a> By January 6, 1950, the city launched a \u201cslum clearance program\u201d with a yearly goal of demolishing forty substandard housing within the city.[20]<\/a><\/p>\n

By January 10, another public meeting was held on the matter of public financed low-rent housing attended by more than hundred residents. Mayor Carty oversaw the meeting with two speakers presenting both sides of the issue over new public housing. Like before, local real estate agents opposed public housing due to the \u201cunnecessary burden on taxpayers and is not in accord with good city planning.\u201d[21]<\/a> Eugene Conser of the California Real Estate Association stated that \u201cpublic housing is like crackerjack, the more you eat, the more you want.\u201d[22]<\/a> He pushed that the proposed for low-rent housing should be put to a vote. On the other side, Harold Wise of the Planning and Housing Research Associates argued that public housing was needed for low-income residents. In the end, Mayor Carty stated that the city council would take action on this issue soon.[23]<\/a><\/p>\n

Finally, on January 17, the city council passed a resolution 3 to 1 authorizing the housing authority to develop public housing in Oxnard. Director Wallace stated \u201cwe will proceed immediately after the papers are signed to select an architect, carefully pick the right sites, and move as fast as possible on construction.\u201d[24]<\/a> Also, the city council agreed to demolish more than two hundred substandard houses within five years of the construction of the new housing project. Furthermore, the resolution gave the housing authority an $80,000 PHA loan for a preliminary plan of prospective sites and census data.[25]<\/a><\/p>\n

By June 16, it was announced that the first 160 of the 260 low-rent housing would be built in La Colonia.[26]<\/a> But, by October the housing authority decided to build all of the low-rent housing on a thirty-nine acres site east of the new Juanita School and Colonia Memorial Park in La Colonia.[27]<\/a> The housing authority established it would cost more than two million dollars for the low-rent housing project. Also, they set up the starting date as July 1, 1951, with a timeline to have the first units done in eight months with the entire project done in an additional ten months.[28]<\/a> Furthermore, the housing would be open to veterans first then to all residents of Oxnard.[29]<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Colonia<\/a>

Source: Oxnard Press-Courier, 22 Dec 1951.<\/p><\/div>\n

In 1951, the housing authority started building a new housing project on the outskirts of Oxnard. Housing officials named the project, Colonia Village. By January 2, 1952, the housing authority began to accept applications for the new housing.[30]<\/a> In the following months, they received more than five hundred applications, but two hundred were found ineligible.[31]<\/a> The housing project provided new housing to La Colonia residents, who were target for living in unstable housing. Furthermore, due to its location the housing project expanded the boundaries of La Colonia.<\/p>\n

\"Untitled\"<\/a>

Source: Oxnard Press-Courier, 30 Aug 1952.<\/p><\/div>\n

In March, the housing authority announced that the first ninety-two units would open in May and the other one hundred and four units by June.[32]<\/a> The Oxnard Press-Courier reported that seventy-nine of ninety-two new tenants of Colonia Village came from substandard housing throughout the city.[33]<\/a> On May 16, Florencio Bocanegra, a resident of Oxnard since 1923, became the first official tenant of Colonia Village.[34]<\/a> The housing authority dedicated Colonia Village on August 30 to city dignitaries, housing officials, and the public.[35]<\/a> Furthermore, housing officials praised the opening of Colonia Village as a key \u201cto clean up slum conditions and provide decent low-cost housing\u201d in Oxnard.[36]<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Untitled\"<\/a>

Source: Oxnard Press-Courier, 30 Aug 1952.<\/p><\/div>\n

Continuing down the same path into the 1960s, the housing authority expanded the boundaries of La Colonia by adding more living units to Colonia Village.[37]<\/a> City officials utilized the housing authority as tool to redeveloped La Colonia, which they labeled the \u201cslums\u201d of Oxnard.<\/p>\n

[1]<\/a> Oxnard Housing Authority, An Golden Anniversary<\/em>, 50 Years, 1985, Subject Files, Oxnard Public Library Local History Collection, Oxnard, California (hereafter cited as OLH).<\/p>\n

[2]<\/a> \u201cHousing group proposes survey of Oxnard area,\u201d Oxnard Press-Courier<\/em>, 17 Jan 1947.<\/p>\n

[3]<\/a> Ibid.<\/p>\n

[4]<\/a> Ibid.<\/p>\n

[5]<\/a> \u201cFalse! Cries C of C of housing photo,\u201d Oxnard Press-Courier<\/em>, 15 Sep 1949.<\/p>\n

[6]<\/a> \u201cLow-rent housing urged,\u201d Oxnard Press-Courier<\/em>, 21 Sep 1949.<\/p>\n

[7]<\/a> Ibid.<\/p>\n

[8]<\/a> Ibid.<\/p>\n

[9]<\/a> Ibid.<\/p>\n

[10]<\/a> \u201cLow-rent housing plan pushed,\u201d Oxnard Press-Courier<\/em>, 22 Oct 1949.<\/p>\n

[11]<\/a> Ibid.<\/p>\n

[12]<\/a> \u201cCouncil plans public debate on housing,\u201d Oxnard Press-Courier<\/em>, 2 Nov 1949.<\/p>\n

[13]<\/a> Ibid.<\/p>\n

[14]<\/a> Ibid.<\/p>\n

[15]<\/a> Ibid.<\/p>\n

[16]<\/a> \u201cCity open war on slums,\u201d Oxnard Press-Courier<\/em>, 30 Nov 1949.<\/p>\n

[17]<\/a> \u201c260 low-rent units are offered to Oxnard,\u201d Oxnard Press-Courier<\/em>, 21 Dec 1949.<\/p>\n

[18]<\/a> \u201cCity open war on slums,\u201d Oxnard Press-Courier<\/em>, 30 Nov 1949.<\/p>\n

[19]<\/a> \u201cCity starts slum clearance,\u201d Oxnard Press-Courier<\/em>, 6 Jan 1950.<\/p>\n

[20]<\/a> \u201cCity program dooms 40 substandard home yearly,\u201d Oxnard Press-Courier<\/em>, 18 Jan 1950.<\/p>\n

[21]<\/a> \u201cHousing debate tonight,\u201d Oxnard Press-Courier<\/em>, 10 Jan 1950.<\/p>\n

[22]<\/a> Ibid.<\/p>\n

[23]<\/a> \u201c100 at public housing forum,\u201d Oxnard Press-Courier<\/em>, 11 Jan 1950.<\/p>\n

[24]<\/a> \u201cCity council authorized housing deal,\u201d Oxnard Press-Courier<\/em>, 18 Jan 1950.<\/p>\n

[25]<\/a> \u201cCity council authorized housing deal,\u201d Oxnard Press-Courier<\/em>, 18 Jan 1950; \u201cTruman ok\u2019s Oxnard loan,\u201d Oxnard Press-Courier<\/em>, 20 Apr 1950.<\/p>\n

[26]<\/a> \u201cColonia to get 160 low rentals,\u201d Oxnard Press-Courier<\/em>, 16 Jun 1950.<\/p>\n

[27]<\/a> \u201cLow rent housing in single tract,\u201d Oxnard Press-Courier<\/em>, 25 Oct 1950.<\/p>\n

[28]<\/a> \u201cLow-income housing to cost $1,934,000,\u201d Oxnard Press-Courier<\/em>, 23 Jun 1951.<\/p>\n

[29]<\/a> \u201cRental scales being set for low-income housing,\u201d Oxnard Press-Courier<\/em>, 9 Aug 1951.<\/p>\n

[30]<\/a> \u201cChristmas Greetings,\u201d Oxnard Press-Courier<\/em>, 22 Dec 1951; \u201cColonia housing project takes applications,\u201d Oxnard Press-Courier<\/em>, 5 Jan 1952.<\/p>\n

[31]<\/a> \u201cLow-income home ready in mid-march,\u201d Oxnard Press-Courier<\/em>, 27 Feb 1952; \u201cSlum housing to be torn down,\u201d Oxnard Press-Courier<\/em>, 11 Apr 1952.<\/p>\n

[32]<\/a> \u201cSlum housing to be torn down,\u201d Oxnard Press-Courier<\/em>, 11 Apr 1952.<\/p>\n

[33]<\/a> Ibid.<\/p>\n

[34]<\/a> \u201cFirst Colonia Village door opened with golden key,\u201d Oxnard Press-Courier<\/em>, 17 May 1952.<\/p>\n

[35]<\/a> \u201cLow-rental housing to be dedicated,\u201d Oxnard Press-Courier<\/em>, 29 Aug 1952.<\/p>\n

[36]<\/a> \u201cColonia Village dedicated,\u201d Oxnard Press-Courier<\/em>, 29 Aug 1952.<\/p>\n

[37]<\/a> \u201c70 low rent units planned in east Oxnard,\u201d The Press-Courier<\/em>, 24 Oct 1961; \u201cHousing agency asks approved to add 150 units,\u201d The Press-Courier<\/em>, 26 Sep 1961.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

c\/s<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Part I – Series On The History Of Colonia Village: In 2014, Oxnard Housing Authority began the first phase\u00a0of demolishing Colonia Village, a public-housing tract\u00a0in La Colonia. Just like the house on Bonita Avenue, the housing projects is an essential part of my mother’s history. In 1952, my grandparents, Carlos and Margarita were part of […]<\/p>\n<\/a>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-1618","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-oxnard","7":"h-entry","8":"hentry"},"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p6ibJA-q6","jetpack-related-posts":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/luishmoreno.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1618","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/luishmoreno.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/luishmoreno.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/luishmoreno.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/luishmoreno.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1618"}],"version-history":[{"count":42,"href":"http:\/\/luishmoreno.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1618\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2299,"href":"http:\/\/luishmoreno.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1618\/revisions\/2299"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/luishmoreno.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1618"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/luishmoreno.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1618"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/luishmoreno.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1618"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}