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.
  
  
• The majority of our homeless neighbors are invisible, not seen as they sleep in their cars or campers and get up and go to work every morning.
  
  
• 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.