The Ventura Fire Department, in partnership with the Ventura County Wildfire Collaborative, will host a free, public town hall to discuss wildfire preparedness on Thursday, March 7, from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. in the Community Meeting Room at City Hall, located at 501 Poli Street in Ventura.

The town hall will cover a wide variety of preparedness topics, including wildfire risk in the City of Ventura, Fire Hazard Reduction Program guidelines, defensible space and home hardening tips, home ignition zone assessments, wildfire home insurance, and information about the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Firewise community certification process.

“Fire safety is a shared responsibility, and an engaged and prepared community is our strongest defense against the threat of wildfires. We are thrilled to partner with the Wildfire Collaborative in providing a town hall for a two-way dialogue with our residents,” said Fire Chief David Endaya. “We want to work together to strengthen our community’s resilience and protect what matters most.”

Agencies presenting at the event will include the Ventura Fire Department, Ventura Regional Fire Safe Council, Southern California Edison, and the California Department of Insurance.

“Collaboration is at the heart of effective wildfire preparedness. By working together with organizations like the Ventura Fire Department, we amplify our impact and empower communities to take meaningful action,” said Mason Thurmond, Program Lead for the Ventura County Wildfire Collaborative. “The Ventura County Resource Conservation District is proud to play a role in fostering a resilient and well-informed community through the work of the Ventura County Wildfire Collaborative.”

In addition to speakers, a variety of booths and community outreach materials will be provided by the California Office of Emergency Services, American Red Cross, and the Ventura Land Trust.

Live streaming and Spanish interpretation will also be available.

For all event information, please visit CityofVentura.ca.gov/FireTownHall. To learn more about emergency preparedness in the City of Ventura, visit CityofVentura.ca.gov/EmergencyPreparedness.

Applications are now being accepted for the City of Ventura’s Community Partnerships Granting Program (CPGP) and Cultural Funding Granting Program (CFGP). Both grant programs were developed to support nonprofit organizations that provide services to Ventura residents.

“These grants, administered by the Parks and Recreation Department, support our local social service, arts, and cultural nonprofit groups who work hard to serve the many unique needs of Ventura residents,” said Recreation Manager Emily Fox.

The Community Partnerships Granting Program, developed in 1998, is available to 501(c)(3) social service organizations located in Ventura County. $140,000 is awarded on a competitive basis, with project-based grants ranging in size from $1,000 to $20,000 in a two-year cycle during the 2024-2025 and 2025-2026 fiscal years.

The Cultural Funding Grant Program, developed in 1993, is available to Ventura-based nonprofit arts and cultural organizations with 501(c)(3) status or that have a Ventura County fiscal agent with 501(c)(3) status. $90,000 will be awarded on a competitive basis, with grants supporting projects, initiatives, and general operating expenses ranging in size from $1,000 to $20,000 in a one-year cycle during the 2024-2025 fiscal year.

Applications for both grants are due by 5:00 p.m. (PST) on Tuesday, February 27, 2024. For more information including grant guidelines, eligibility requirements, and applications, visit www.cityofventura.ca.gov/Grants.

Additionally, the City of Ventura’s Special Event Grant Program (SEGP) will be opening in early Spring 2024. This year’s SEGP will include an additional $150,000 in one-time funding to support free and affordable community events in the City of Ventura. This grant will be available to nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status or that have a Ventura County fiscal agent with 501(c)(3) status, including recipients of grant funding from the Community Partnerships and Cultural Funding Grant Programs. More information will be available on the City’s website in early March 2024.

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