Retiree Opens Doors for Homeless : Ventura: Les Goldberg purchases a three-bedroom fixer-upper to accommodate up to four transients.

For years, Les Goldberg has worked with many of Ventura’s homeless residents--some of whom get checks from the government but still can’t afford to rent a place of their own.

With the average one-bedroom rent in Ventura estimated at more than $675, the 76-year-old retiree concluded that many of the city’s transients may never get a shot at renting an apartment and landing a job.

So Goldberg, who started a weekly support group called the Breakfast Club for homeless and unemployed residents last August, decided to cash in his stocks and other personal investments to buy the homeless a $120,000 home of their own.

“I put my money where my mouth is,” said Goldberg, a retired mechanical engineer and chairman of the board of Commission on Human Concerns, a nonprofit group that helps low-income county residents. “They’ll be renting from me. I condensed all my assets into one thing, which is not a good idea, but somebody had to do it.”

Goldberg’s savings--bolstered with money he borrowed from friends--bought a three-bedroom fixer-upper with white shingles and brown trim on Thompson Boulevard. The deal went through Tuesday.

Although his neighbors aren’t entirely happy with the plan, the Ventura resident says he will lease the 1,200-square-foot house to the Commission on Human Concerns for $800 a month. The commission will rent out rooms to up to four homeless men, who will be expected to turn over a portion of their state aid checks to help pay bills.

“There is no real help for homeless men between 20 and 40,” Goldberg said Wednesday. “They are supposed to be the survivors.”

As he toured the house, sandwiched between a Parnelli Jones tire store and a private residence, he pointed out areas that need work--mildew spots on the walls, linoleum bubbling up in corners of the kitchen and bathroom, dark ovals dotting the worn brown carpet.

“We always wanted a fixer-upper,” said Goldberg, pointing out the sun room in the front that the commission hopes to use as a drop-in referral center for its clients. “The fellas like the challenge. You can’t imagine how much pride they take in their work.”

Goldberg is poised to mail letters to his “rich friends” asking for donations. He wants to raise $5,000 to pay for wood, paint and other materials needed to repair the roof, repaint the interior and exterior and spiff the place up. Based on the number of transients dropping by Wednesday, the house should be ready for residents soon.

“I’m going to be here at least two hours every afternoon to work,” said a 60-year-old Breakfast Club member who has been living in his van for the last three years. “But I don’t plan to move in. There are a lot of people who are in more dire straits than me.”

Goldberg’s commission associates said they were surprised at first that he had plunked down $120,000 of his own money to buy the house.

“But then again, that’s Les,” said Rosie Ramirez, a caseworker with the commission. “He goes all out to help the homeless.”

Goldberg’s wife, Phyllis, 74, called the purchase just another of her husband’s “projects.”

“He’s involved in umpteen projects,” she said. “He was too busy with work before. Now he’s always on the go.”

Goldberg’s newest project has ruffled feathers among some residents on the 900 block of Thompson Boulevard.

“We’re worried that drug addicts and alcoholics may be stopping by,” said 51-year-old Terry Kiefer, who lives next door to the house with her 79-year-old mother. “Can you understand how concerned we are?”

Parnelli Jones store manager Todd Weatherly said he believes the home’s residents and visitors will loiter in front of his store and panhandle.

“I have nothing against the homeless people,” Weatherly said. “I just don’t think that they should put it there next to a business.”

House rules will be severe, Goldberg said. There will be no drinking, smoking or loud noises allowed on the premises. A monitor will live with the four residents to make sure they don’t fall out of line.

“If they don’t follow the rules, they’re out,” Goldberg said.

City officials said the commission may need to obtain a permit to operate the drop-in center, but the area is zoned for both commercial and residential use.

Small, home-bred programs can work, Goldberg said, pointing to the success of the Breakfast Club, which he started in part to raise money for workers’ compensation premiums so homeless people could volunteer for a variety of community service projects.

One Breakfast Club member now manages a Taco Bell restaurant. Another got a job with the county’s animal control department, and a third is employed by a computer manufacturer. But Goldberg is realistic about what he can do.

“One fellow went back to jail,” Goldberg said. “He had outstanding warrants.”

Goldberg credits his religion for giving him his newest inspiration.

“Judaism stresses that you have to help fix up the world,” Goldberg said. “When you reach my age, you are supposed to be doing these things. It gives you a great sense of satisfaction.”