Ventura Homeless Shelter May Open Next Week
An emergency homeless shelter could be open in Ventura as early as next week.
The City Council during its Monday night meeting unanimously agreed to speed up the permit process for about half a dozen churches and a synagogue that plan to serve as rotating homeless shelters.
The action waives a $1,675 permit fee and authorizes a temporary change to the existing permits to allow women and families to be sheltered at the sites.
The permits will be valid until the Planning Commission considers the matter and conducts a public hearing on the issue early next year.
Community Development Director Everett Millais said the hearing could be set by Jan. 5.
The move to open homeless shelters pushed by the group Project Understanding stalled last week amid confusion over whether amendments to the existing use permits would be required.
Rick Pearson, the group’s executive director, said he was surprised and pleased the council acted so quickly.
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