The sixth annual Ventura County Housing Conference will be held Sept. 12 at the Courtyard by Marriott in Oxnard. Keynote speakers include Dr. Raphael Bostic, associate professor of USC's School of Policy, Planning and Development; Dr. Bill Watkins, executive director of the Economic Forecast Project at UC Santa Barbara; and Michael Goldberg, radio and television producer and co-founder of Action Media.

In addition to the individual speakers, a panel discussion will critique the Jones Ranch Project, a proposed community of 2,500 homes on the outskirts of Oxnard. Panelists include Oxnard Mayor Tom Holden; California Department of Housing & Community Development Director Lynn Jacobs; Senior Vice President of CityView Charles Dragicevich; and Goldberg.

Conference Moderator is Tim Gallagher, publisher and president of the Ventura County Star. Top Sponsors are Citibank, Limoniera Company, and Wells Fargo. Media Sponsor is the Ventura County Star.

Host Sponsors include Housing Opportunities Made Easier, (HOME); Ventura County Economic Development Association (VCEDA); and Cabrillo Economic Development Corporation (CEDC). Co-Sponsors are Ventura County Housing Authority; Building Industry Association of L.A./Ventura; Ventura County Economic Development Collaborative; Ventura County Council of Governments; Ventura County Civic Alliance; and Ventura County Coastal Association of Realtors.

Dr. Bostic will present the 2007 Economic Outlook for Ventura County. He is an expert on housing and homeownership and has extensively studied the roles that credit markets, financing and policy play in enhancing household access to economic and social amenities.

Watkins will discuss the housing crisis in Ventura County if the County assumes a policy of no affordable housing. Under his leadership, the UCSB Economic Forecast Project has expanded the geographic scope of its forecasting, and developed extensive expertise in ancillary issues including demographic trends, economic development, and workforce issues.

Goldberg will reframe the housing debate while presenting communication tactics in discussing housing issues with local government and beyond.

Admission to the event, which includes breakfast and lunch, is $125 per person.

Reservations can be made by calling RSVP events at (805) 969-5244.

The Courtyard by Marriott is at 600 East Esplanade in Oxnard.

Registration and breakfast begin at 7:30 a.m. and the conference will conclude at 3 p.m.