First things first. Familiarize yourself with the issues, myths, and solutions in the pipeline regarding our homeless brothers and sisters in Ventura.
On Monday, June 18, our City Council will be deciding whether or not to fund a 24-hour, year-round shelter with the goal of transitioning folks into permanent housing.
The City Council allotted $300,000 in Measure O funds last year, and the ask is for an additional $300,000 for 2018. Zoning for a shelter was put into place last year and advocates are asking for a site to be chosen by the end of 2018. THIS IS HUGE.
This would enable our homeless residents to be surrounded with services and given the chance to gain a foothold in their lives. A year-round shelter is supported by our police, business owners and homeless advocates alike.
Action: Email (addresses below) our City Council and show up at the Monday, June 18 Council Meeting to support this important cause!
6 pm at 501 Poli Street (At the top of California Street, downtown). Parking is around back and use the door at the rear of the building.
Talking points for emails (be sure to make it your own!):
-As a voter and concerned citizen in Ventura, I’d like your commitment to $600,000 in Measure O funds to acquire a year-round shelter.
-In addition,
please commit ongoing funding from Measure O to support the City’s share of the operational costs of the year-round shelter.
-Promise a purchase of a year-round shelter property by Dec. 2018.
Facts about homelessness in Ventura to round out your emails (there are more here, with links and details):
–Over 90% of our homeless are “homegrown.” THEY ARE OURS. Nobody should be homeless in Ventura.
-There are people on the streets right now that lost their homes in the Thomas Fire.
-One of the fastest growing demographics are people over 65.
Contact:
Mayor Neal Andrews: nandrews@cityofventura.ca.gov
Deputy Mayor Matt LaVere: mlavere@cityofventura.ca.gov
Councilmember Cheryl Heitmann: cheitmann@cityofventura.ca.gov
Councilmember James Monahan: jmonahan@cityofventura.ca.gov
Councilmember Erik Nasarenko: enasarenko@cityofventura.ca.gov
Councilmember Mike Tracy: mike.tracy@cityofventura.ca.gov
Councilmember Christy Weir: cweir@cityofventura.ca.gov
Or copy/paste this whole string to email them all at once: nandrews@cityofventura.ca.gov, mlavere@cityofventura.ca.gov, cheitmann@cityofventura.ca.gov, jmonahan@cityofventura.ca.gov, enasarenko@cityofventura.ca.gov, mike.tracy@cityofventura.ca.gov, cweir@cityofventura.ca.gov
Feeling fiesty? Light up the phone line! 805-654-7827
2018 State of Homelessness in Ventura County. This is an annual, easy-to-read overview put together by the Ventura County Continuum of Care Alliance.
This video, honestly, floored us. In her own words, this brave woman gives a first-hand account of what life is like living on the streets of Ventura. A former school teacher and homeowner who, through a series of sad events, found herself homeless and recounts her struggle to find a home and the obstacles in her way her journey (“As a homeless person, just your existence is illegal in the city of Ventura”) :
Here’s a recent article that should be read, as well: LIFE CUT SHORT: Local homeless services still lacking in helping those in need.
INDIVISIBLE VENTURA 