The City of Ventura has received a significant boost in its efforts to combat homelessness with the recent allocation of a homeless housing, assistance, and prevention-round four state grant from the California Interagency Council on Homelessness. The grant, totaling $640,000, includes $96,000 earmarked to assist transitional-age youth between 18-24 years old.
“The City has made strategic investments in various areas to create meaningful outcomes for individuals facing homelessness,” said Ventura Mayor Joe Schroeder. “We’ve bolstered our affordable housing inventory by 250 units and allocated over $1.5 million to combat homelessness. This grant funding will amplify our endeavors, empowering us to extend crucial assistance to our community’s most vulnerable populations, thereby ensuring they possess the necessary resources to obtain and sustain secure housing.”
The funding will be utilized to establish a robust homeless prevention and diversion program aimed at providing vital rental and utility assistance to individuals and families. By supporting these households, the program aims to help people maintain their permanent housing and ultimately reduce the number of people experiencing homelessness in the community.
The urgency of this initiative is underscored by recent data indicating an increase in homelessness within Ventura. According to the 2023 Point-in-Time Count, there are 644 individuals experiencing homelessness in the City of Ventura, though this figure represents only a portion of the total affected population over the course of a year.
Ventura County 2-1-1, a key resource for housing assistance, has reported a significant rise in calls for aid, with over 380 calls originating from residents within the City of Ventura in 2022 alone. This upward trend highlights the critical need for proactive measures to address homelessness in the City.
“Effectively addressing homelessness demands a comprehensive strategy that integrates supportive services with tailored interventions,” expressed Leona Rollins, Housing Services Manager at the City of Ventura. “Through collaborative efforts with the County and numerous community partners, we allocate resources to fund a range of initiatives and programs, encompassing case management, housing navigation services, street outreach, and our vital emergency shelter program.”
With the grant funding secured, the City is poised to launch a comprehensive two-year pilot program under the Homeless Prevention and Diversion initiative. The program aims to serve at least 100 eligible households, providing up to $4,000 in financial assistance to each household to help them maintain their permanent housing.
For more information on the City of Ventura’s Housing Services Division and its initiatives, please visit: www.cityofventura.ca.gov/HousingServices
