Show All Answers

1. There are 350 homeless individuals in Ventura. If a 55 bed shelter is built won’t we need 6 additional shelters for the remaining homeless individuals?

While it is entirely true that over time more shelters may be necessary, the number 55 is based on data collected at the Winter Warming Shelter related to the number of people from Ventura who utilized the shelter more than 75% of the time over a period of five years.

2. Are you providing housing for families and single people or veterans only?

The operational program has not yet been written however it will not be a shelter for veterans only.

3. Where is this housing going to be located?

No specific parcel/building/lot has been identified as of yet; should this zoning be adopted, the City expects a third party operator to identify a site and then would require the review and approval of a conditional use permit through a publicly noticed hearing before the City’s Planning Commission.

4. Do the business owners in this area know of this plan?

It's unlikely that all of the business and/or property owners are aware of this proposed overlay zone as of December 2016. That said, city staff mailed 1700 notices to business and property owners in the area and will be working to ensure that the community is well-informed. It's important for everyone who wants to provide input has the opportunity to do so.

5. What criterion qualifies an individual to live in the crisis home?

Our experience is that each individual has a story of their own; however it would be safe to say that anyone who presents themselves as not having anywhere to get shelter will be assessed by case managers to ensure that they get the care that they need. That said, there will be conditions and expectations for behavior and production related to any service that is provided.

6. Will there be only one crisis facility located in the Arundell district, or could there be more than one facility?

City staff does not anticipate more than one shelter initially; however over time services could be expanded based on need.

7. Are there other areas where these needs can be met and not interfere with productive tax revenue generating businesses?

There is no ideal location in Ventura; however the manufacturing zone was assessed to be a less onerous area than other areas. It is absolutely the goal to create operational conditions and standards that mitigate the impact of this use in this zone.