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Homelessness Programs and Resources
While giving money to panhandlers may feel good for a moment, it's not good in the long term. We encourage community members to adhere to the hand-up, not a hand-out philosophy, encouraging giving to partner agencies rather than panhandlers.
The below organizations are those the City of Ventura has an active partnership with, currently working to address homelessness.
Link: website
Assist those experiencing homelessness with pets in Ventura. Provides veterinary care, spay/neuter services, food, and supplies.
Link: website
Provides a transitional living center for those experiencing homelessness, or at-risk families with children.
Link: website
Represents businesses and visitors in Downtown Ventura.
Link: website
Provides free transportation to eligible individuals. In order to ensure someone is waiting when clients arrive at their final destination, Pathways to Home case workers work directly with each individual.
Link: website
In collaboration with the City of Ventura Parks and Recreation Department, Park Ambassadors offer a presence in the highly trafficked locations in Ventura. They offer a friendly face, connect with individuals in the parks to offer services, mitigate negative behaviors, and have a direct link to the Ventura Police Patrol Task Force.
Link: website
In partnership with Mission Plaza Laundromat, this program washes clothes and bedding of low/no-income families and individuals.
Link: website
Continued healing care for homeless individuals after medical treatment by discharging to the National Health Foundation's (NHF) Recuperative Care program located at the Motel 6 on Harbor Blvd. Guests receive medical case management and are connected to social services and housing opportunities during their short-term stay.
Link: website
Services include Behavioral Health assistance, Food Stamp application assistance, General Relief application assistance, TB testing, medical clinic, medication assistance, risk assessments, veteran assistance, HIV testing, Medi-Cal/Covered California application assistance for those without health insurance, case management., Whole Person Care, and more.
Link: website
Structured to help those in need with a food pantry, housing, and tutoring for students grades K-5.
Link: website
Assists the City when the Foul Weather Shelter Plan is activated, offering food, temporary emergency shelter, and stay warm packs during the rainy, cold season.
Additionally, the River Community Church also houses the Reduce Barrier Fund, managed by the Community Intervention Court. This ensures that those who need addiction services, room and board, and other supportive services, can quickly get into the right program to ensure success.
Link: website
The Salvation Army’s Safe Sleep Program, funded by the City, allows carefully screened individuals to stay in their cars in church parking lots that provide access to bathrooms. Case management by the Salvation Army targets help to get individuals back into jobs and housing.
Link: website
Provides attachment-based, trauma-informed supportive services to children ages zero to five years who have been affected by, or are at risk of homelessness. Children attend full-time therapeutic childcare and/or preschool so their parents can obtain full-time employment and work towards stable housing.
Link: website
Offers a nurturing place for new mothers to receive training and guidance for up to 12 months. Tender Life's program includes training in parenting, child development, life skills, employment coaching, infant CPR, case management, and individual therapy.
Link: website
Mercy House, in collaboration with the City and County of Ventura, opened The ARCH, a 55 bed shelter in the City of Ventura. The ARCH is a year-round, low-barrier shelter.
Link: website
A local non-profit committed to building a healthier community by offering compassionate and proactive treatment for adults struggling with mental illness, many of whom are homeless and/or are veterans.
Their programs include Our Place Safe Haven emergency homeless shelter, River Haven Transitional Housing, and Veteran's Transitional Housing.
Link: website
A community-based organization recognized by the County of Ventura and tasked by the Ventura City Council to end homelessness in the City of Ventura.
Link: website
Supported by the Ventura Social Services Task Force, Inc. 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to ending homelessness in the City of Ventura. The purpose of the Ventura Homeless Prevention Fund is to provide financial assistance for families and individuals on the verge of becoming homeless due to a one-time but consequential event such as temporary job loss, accident, or illness.