Ventura, CA – The State has awarded the County of Ventura an additional $5.9 million in Homekey funds to expand Casa Pacifica Centers for Children and Families’ Stepping Stones project in Camarillo in the County’s third Homekey award. Governor Gavin Newsom announced the awarded funding on August 24, 2022, as part of the statewide program, for the renovation of three existing buildings at Casa Pacifica to create 27 new units of transitional housing and high-quality support services for Transition Aged Youth (ages 18-24) who are experiencing homelessness or are at-risk of homelessness.
“This announcement marks great progress towards ending homelessness in Ventura County,” said Acting Chair of the Board of Supervisors Matt LaVere. “Thanks to these significant state funding opportunities that our County has pursued in collaboration with community partners, we can provide homes and supportive services to some of our most vulnerable residents more rapidly.”
In addition to the Homekey award of $5.9 million, which the County co-applied for with Casa Pacifica, and funding contributions from Casa Pacifica’s donors, the County has committed $640,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funds to support the renovation.
The State also awarded $26.7 million to the City of Thousand Oaks for the acquisition and rehabilitation of the Quality Inn and Suites for 77 new units of permanent supportive housing with supportive services. The City of Thousand Oaks co-applied with developer Shangri La Industries and service provider Step Up on Second, with a city contribution of $1.8 million. The County has contributed $5.8 million in HOME – American Rescue Plan and Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery funds from the Woolsey Fire to support development and operations.
“We saw a 25% increase in this year’s homeless count, which is why it is so critical to rapidly support community members who have been particularly impacted by the rippling effects of the pandemic,” said Interim County Executive Officer Dr. Sevet Johnson. “We are grateful for the many County staff and partners who worked diligently on the Homekey applications to bring this critical funding to our community.”
In 2020, the County received $10.8 million in Homekey funds for Casa Aliento in Oxnard, an interim shelter with plans to convert to permanent housing for 69 persons experiencing homelessness.
In Homekey’s second round in 2021, the State awarded an additional $4.2 million to the County, Mesa Independent Living and Peoples’ Self Help Housing to acquire, rehabilitate and add tiny homes on a 10-acre property in the unincorporated areas of the county near Ojai to provide transitional housing for Transition Aged Youth (18-24). The Board contributed $2 million in American Rescue Plan Act Funds and Permanent Local Housing Allocation funding to this project.
The first two rounds of Homekey funding will result in 146 new units of Permanent Supportive Housing for persons experiencing homelessness and 39 new units of transitional housing with supportive services to help stabilize young adults experiencing and at-risk of homelessness. The County’s contribution to these projects totals $13.4 million.
Stepping Stones, Mesa Ojai, and Step Up in Thousand Oaks will begin construction and rehabilitation this fall.
