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Ventura, CA – On December 14, the County Board of Supervisors approved actions that support the creation of more than 235 units of new affordable, permanent supportive housing and transitional housing. “Homelessness and mental illness are our two most pressing social issues, and so I’m delighted that our last board meeting of 2021 capped a year of stepping up to provide shelter and affordable housing and services to these vulnerable populations,” said Chair of the Board Linda Parks.
The projects support those experiencing homelessness, at risk of becoming homeless, transition aged youth (age 18-24) and seniors. The Board also supported the expansion of Behavioral Health Mobile Crisis Care Units and the development of a Transitional Age Youth Rapid Response Team to provide mental health support services throughout the County.
“There is a critical need for housing in our communities. The Board action is a huge step in helping to fill that gap,” said County Executive Officer Mike Powers. “In addition to housing, these community members will have access to supportive services to help meet their needs.”
The County Board of Supervisors approved the following projects during Tuesday’s meeting:
- A land lease with Many Mansions and the Area Housing Authority of the County of Ventura for the purpose of developing 49 units of affordable senior housing, with 24 units set aside for seniors experiencing homelessness.
- A co-application with Peoples’ Self Help Housing Corporation and Community Development Partners/Mercy House to the State of California for No Place Like Home Funding to support 3 affordable housing developments with units set-aside as Permanent Supportive Housing for persons experiencing homelessness. Additionally, the board approved a local contribution of $1.6 million in County discretionary No Place Like Home Funding.
- A co-application with Mesa Independent Living and Peoples’ Self Help Housing to the State of California for Homekey 2.0 funding to acquire, rehabilitate and potentially 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) who are homeless or at-risk of homelessness. The Board also approved a local contribution of $2 million in American Rescue Plan Act State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds and HOME-ARP funding to this project.
- The County’s HOME-American Rescue Plan Act Allocation Plan, which allocates approximately $3.9 million to supporting capital investment and operating subsidies for newly created units of housing, with a priority for units dedicated to persons experiencing homelessness.
- Expansion of the Mobile Crisis Care Units and development of a Transitional Age Youth Rapid Response Team through a grant program with the California Department of Health Care Services. Mobile teams will provide crisis and non-crisis services throughout the County of Ventura.
The net result of the above actions supports the creation of 128 units of permanent supportive housing for persons experiencing or at-risk of homelessness; 98 units affordable to households at or below 60% the area median income; and between 8-11 transitional housing units for transition aged youth.
“We typically see 5-10 units in new development set aside for special need populations such as people experiencing homelessness. The Board action is a very significant step forward in creating housing solutions that will help us in our regional progress to prevent and end homelessness,” said Tara Carruth, Countywide Continuum of Care Program Manager, County Executive Office.
