The Housing Authority originally owned and operated seven apartments on South Voluntario Street before purchasing two parcels of abandoned land adjacent to its property.
Once considered a neglected and blighted area known for criminal activity, the Paseo Voluntario development renovated 7 older “public housing” units and added 20 workforce housing units on the adjacent property. The Housing Authority remodeled its existing apartments to match the old Spanish decor of the new development.
The former RDA program contributed approximately $2 million to the Paseo Voluntario project. This well-designed “in-fill housing” development now rivals some of the most expensive and attractive condominium complexes in Santa Barbara.
Construction on Paseo Voluntario was completed in September of 2005.