Oxnard Homeless Solutions Center

About the Oxnard Homeless Solutions Center

The City of Oxnard, along with other large cities throughout the state of California, is being severely impacted by the state’s homeless crisis. Ventura County’s 2020 point-in-time homeless count identified 567 people living on the streets, in vehicles or encampments, or in shelters within the City of Oxnard. This number does not include homeless individuals staying with family and friends, which could mean an additional 2,500 homeless individuals residing in the City.

In 2018, the City Council authorized the Oxnard Housing Authority staff to operate a temporary 24-hour homeless shelter at the former Oxnard National Guard Armory (351 South K St.). Due to the site’s location within the Oxnard Airport’s Runway Protection Zone, the shelter would not be feasible for long term use and would require staff to identify a site for a permanent homeless shelter.

In 2019, the City Council approved a lease agreement for the City to operate a new homeless shelter located at 1258 Saviers Rd. in Oxnard. The City sought to create a Navigation Center: a 24-hour, year-round shelter with 110 beds, shower and laundry facilities, a meal program, pet accommodations, housing navigation and case management services for homeless individuals in Oxnard.

Current Oxnard Navigation Center Status

The City formally withdrew from the lease agreement at Saviers Rd. in January 2020 and is now looking to take a broader approach in its response to homelessness.

While the site at Saviers would adequately serve the purpose of a Navigation Center, the City agreed with the feedback received from the community about expanding the service offerings with a new shelter. At the direction of the City Manager, the City is seeking to develop a new Homeless Solutions Center that will consist of a mixed-use multi-level building that will include a Navigation Center,  office space for supportive service providers,  and permanent supportive housing units.    

On June 30, 2020 the City Council approved an Exclusive Negotiating Agreement (ENA) by and between Community Development Partners (CDP) and the City of Oxnard in consideration of constructing a new mixed-use Homeless Solutions Center (also known as 2nd and B and the Navigation Center) and permanent supportive housing on an approximate 22,000 square foot City-owned property at the northeast corner of Second Street and B Street in Oxnard (241 W. 2nd Street). Community Development Partners is an experienced multifamily and mixed-use developer focused exclusively on creating and preserving vibrant affordable housing communities. A strong partnership between Mercy House and Community Development Partners has formed over the past ten years. The partnership has collaborated on multiple permanent supportive housing developments where Mercy House serves for service provision. The proposed mixed-use project will be five levels high and will include approximately 13,078 square feet of homeless shelter space that would accommodate 110 beds, 2,640 square feet of office space for leasing and supportive services, and (56) fifty-six permanent supportive housing units.  

The Homeless Solutions Center development received approval of a Major Downtown Design Development Review (DDR) Permit and a Lot Line Adjustment (Merger) at the Community Development Director Hearing held on November 30, 2020 and subsequently received Planning Commission approval on December 17, 2020 for a Special Use Permit (SUP) to allow for the operation of the homeless shelter and resource center onsite and ministerial approval of  a Density Bonus Permit to reduce the parking requirements for the site to a single space for the shelter, although the project will be providing ten (10) spaces on site. The City anticipates executing the DDA with the developer, pending City Council approval of the DDA by March 2021.  The estimated cost of the new Homeless Solutions Center is approximately $34 million.  The City contribution will include a donation of the City-owned property and $1.5 million in low-and-moderate housing set-aside funds (Housing Successor Agency Set-Aside) which may only be used for the production of affordable housing and may not be used for development of the shelter..  The City will also pay fifty 50 percent (50%) of the cost for the buildout of the shelter related improvements and on-going operation of the shelter with the use of Measure O funds designated for this purpose.  The County of Ventura will pay for the other 50 percent (50%) of the cost for the buildout of the shelter related improvements and on-going operation of the shelter.

The West Second St. project has evolved from the Saviers Rd. lease into a new project that provides the City with an opportunity to build a mixed-use building that supports the “Housing First” model of addressing homelessness.   

Community Outreach

Housing staff hosted community presentations regarding the proposed Homeless Solutions Center development at several community meetings to engage with residents including a Wilson Neighborhood Meeting held on February 2, 2020, a Town Hall Meeting hosted by the Housing Department on February 11, 2020, and a Community Meeting hosted by All Saints Church on February 27, 2020. Presentations for business owners and area stakeholders were held on January 22, 2020, at the Downtown Oxnard Board Meeting and on March 3, 2020, at a meeting hosted by Dignity Health in Oxnard. The item was presented to the Commission on Homelessness on March 2, 2020. The various community meetings identified several local area stakeholders (business owners and residents) that both oppose and support the proposed Homeless Solutions Center development at Second and B Streets. On October 19, 2020, the project was presented to the public during a Community Workshop meeting presented by the Community Development Department.

 

Homeless Solutions Center Details

The Homeless Solutions Center on W. Second Street will be providing a Navigation Center with a 24-hour, year-round shelter with 110 beds, shower and laundry facilities, a meal program, pet accommodations, housing navigation and case management services for homeless individuals in Oxnard. Additionally, the City plans to add 56 permanent supportive housing units,  and office space for supportive service providers.   

Navigation Centers are essential to reducing the unsheltered homeless population in Oxnard. The shelter offers a low-barrier, high-service program that is designed to connect homeless individuals to services and provide housing assistance.

The City of Oxnard will operate the shelter with Mercy House, a nonprofit who manages operations and assists individuals with determining a path out of homelessness. The City has worked with Mercy House since June of 2019, helping to connect with homeless individuals through the shelter’s service offerings.

Addressing Safety Concerns for Homeless Solutions Center Neighbors

The City of Oxnard is committed to protecting the safety of both the Homeless Solutions Center’s guests and the neighboring community near 241 W. Second St.

When the city opened its first 24-hour shelter on South K St., the site’s operator, Mercy House, contracted for a private 24-hour security service, that service will continue to be provided at the W. Second Street site. Additionally, the Fire Department Administration and Police Department are located within walking distance from the W. Second Street Site. There are plans to also have other City services involved with the shelter.

Homeless Solutions Center Frequently Asked Questions

A list of frequently asked questions (FAQs) regarding the Oxnard Homeless Solutions Center are included below.

What is a low barrier shelter?
Low barrier shelters are designed to meet the needs of those experiencing homelessness in a community. The shelter serves homeless men and women with priority for those living in Oxnard. All clients of this shelter must be eighteen years of age or older, or must be able to provide valid documentation if they are emancipated youths. All prospective clients will be screened for open felony warrants and status as a registered sex offender. If the client has open felony warrants or is a registered sex offender, they are not eligible for this program and should connect to resources with our nonprofit partners.

Who is Mercy House?
Mercy House is a nonprofit 401 (C) 3.  Mercy House provides housing and comprehensive supportive services for a variety of homeless populations which includes families, adult men and women, mothers and their children, persons living with HIV and AIDS, individuals overcoming substance addictions, and some who are physically and mentally disabled.

Mercy House is a nonprofit 401 (C) 3.  Mercy House provides housing and comprehensive supportive services for a variety of homeless populations which includes families, adult men and women, mothers and their children, persons living with HIV and AIDS, individuals overcoming substance addictions, and some who are physically and mentally disabled.

Mercy strives to assist residents in the areas of economic, emotional, and spiritual well-being in order to enhance self-esteem and a sense of personal pride. Mercy values accountability, integrity, and self-sufficiency. The dignity of the individual person and the corresponding respect that follows is the guiding principle of Mercy House’s service to homeless individuals.

Mission Statement: To be a leader in ending homelessness by providing a unique system of dignified housing opportunities, programs, and supportive services.

Goal: To end the cycle of homelessness of those who enter Mercy’s system of care.

Will the Homeless Solutions Center operate with a good neighbor policy?
Mercy Housing will operate the Homeless Solutions Center under a good neighbor policy including the provision of case managers, housing navigators, and local homeless social service agency staff to assist shelter participants. 

In addition, Mercy Housing will provide 24-hour security service at the Homeless Solutions Center.

Mercy will  work to minimize negative impacts due to any activity conducted by shelter participants and other homeless individuals who have been denied access and will ensure they are not congregating in the neighborhood and are not leaving behind trash or other materials within a maximum of 500 ft South and East and 1000 ft North and West of the Homeless Solutions Center facility.

What services will be offered on site at the navigation center?
Services include shower, laundry facilities, a meal program, pet accommodations, housing navigation, case management, linkages to medical, mental health, dental services and other supportive services as needed.

Why must the navigation center relocate from K Street?
The navigation center operation at 351 K Street intrudes within the runway protection zone of the Oxnard Airport, which may impact potential navigation center funding from the County of Ventura.  Therefore, it must be re-located.

Is a Homeless Solutions Center consistent with a Housing First policy?
A low barrier navigation center is consistent with a housing first model of homeless services because supportive services are delivered under the protection of a shelter without imposing barriers to entry into the navigation center.

What security will be offered at the Homeless Solutions Center?
Professional security guards are contracted through a third-party vendor and receive “Homeless Sensitivity Training” through the Mercy House resources. Security will be on site at all times, stationed both inside and outside the facility to ensure maximum coverage.

Questions?

If you have additional questions, please email Emilio Ramirez at emilio.ramirez@oxnard.org.