Winter is here but west county homeless shelter not quite ready

West Ventura County leaders are preparing to open a homeless shelter by the end of the year despite not being able to find an operator.

The shelter will be at the former National Guard Armory on K Street in Oxnard. Mark Alvarado, the homeless assistance coordinator for Oxnard, said it’s “very possible” to have it open by the end of the month, but no date has been set.

“We’re under the gun,” Alvarado said.

This year, shelter organizers couldn’t find an operator. Unlike previous years when the homeless would be forced out of the shelter during daytime hours, this facility will operate 24 hours a day.

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Last month, local officials solicited bids to operate a temporary shelter from December to June, but no potential operators came forward. In lieu of an operator, the city of Oxnard will hire temporary workers.

The Oxnard City Council last week approved the temporary hiring of the following shelter positions: manager, supervisor, monitor, navigator and intake worker. 

Alvarado said hiring these workers is the final piece to getting the facility open. Candidate interviews, training, background checks and tuberculosis tests are all necessary.

“We’re trying to expedite this stuff as much as possible,” Alvarado said.

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Building improvements such as painting, cleaning, servicing the heater and installation of cots have been completed. The shelter plans to use a shuttle service to bring people to the shelter or take them to appointments. A trolley no longer needed by the Downtown Ventura Organization will be used.

Oxnard, Ventura and Ventura County are sharing the costs of the temporary shelter, with each agency contributing about $200,000.

In previous years, a temporary overnight shelter would open at the beginning of December in either Oxnard or Ventura. Last year, the shelter had a delayed opening at the armory in Ventura due to the Thomas Fire. It opened Dec. 21.

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If all goes to plan, by next year, permanent shelters in both Oxnard and Ventura will be open. The operator for both shelters will be Mercy House.

Ventura is preparing to open a shelter in a county-owned building on Knoll Drive. Oxnard is still seeking the right location.

“We really need the community to step up and help us identify a location,” Alvarado said. “That’s a big issue for us.”

To volunteer at the soon to open winter shelter, call Alvarado at 805-385-8044.

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