HOMELESSNESS IN VENTURA

 

The majority of our homeless neighbors are invisible, not seen as they sleep in their cars and then get up for work each morning.

 

LIFT UP YOUR VOICE TO END HOMELESSNESS IN VENTURA

Homelessness is not new… as economic conditions continue to be challenging, more of our neighbors than ever before are at risk. Consider these facts:

    • An average of 600 residents are homeless daily in the city of Ventura; an additional 21,000 are at risk of becoming homeless.
    • Ventura has no year round emergency shelter.
    • Ventura has the highest number of people experiencing homelessness in the county; most often they are long-time residents.
    • One out of every five residents in Ventura is one incident away from homelessness.
    • Our homeless neighbors are most often long-time residents, not transients passing through from somewhere else.
    • Many of our homeless neighbors have jobs and most are educated through high school with at least some college education.
    • Most of our homeless neighbors will eventually work their way back to a more stable living situation, but not without first enduring tremendous hardship.
    • Approximately 25% of our homeless residents are veterans.
    • A small percentage of homeless people are chronically homeless. They often suffer from some form of mental illness or have a serious disability. They may be self-medicated on drugs or alcohol to the point of chronic dependency.
In the work to end homelessness in Ventura, there are many identified constituencies: people who are homeless, governmental agencies, elected officials, the business community, faith communities, law enforcement, neighborhood associations, private citizens, non-profits, etc. Often people have seen these groups as natural adversaries rather than common stake-holders.

Lift Up Your Voice seeks to build relationships across boundaries to meet the challenges which impact all of us. We also strive to hold our elected officials and city government accountable. Recently, we asked our constituents to support the Ventura Planning Commission ‘s proposed Zoning Plan.

Action Opportunities:

  • Grow the intentionally diverse coalition through participation
  • Support or Host a Special Event or Hidden Ventura
  • Host one of our two Photo/Story Exhibits or refer a prospect to LUYV
  • Share your gifts and talents, and areas of expertise (i.e. writing, art instruction, public speaking)
To explore one or more Action Opportunities please contact us.

 

 
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