Overflow Expected at Homeless Shelter

Once again, Oxnard could be the only west county city offering shelter to the homeless this winter.

City officials in June earmarked $43,600 in federal money to run a winter warming shelter at the Salvation Army, 622 W. Wooley Road. As planned, the shelter would be able to house up to 100 people a night.

But the money was allocated with the assumption that other cities would also open shelters.

After the Oxnard Homeless Task Force discovered that no other warming shelters were planned for the west county, the housing department revised its projected need to at least 130 beds.

Assistant City Manager Karen Burnham said the city is looking at ways of dealing with the potential overflow. The City Council will hear a report tonight on possible solutions.

“The most attractive option would be to have a more reasonable, regional approach,” Burnham said.

Options include authorizing Mayor Manuel Lopez to seek financial assistance from other cities and the county to operate a regional warming shelter at the National Guard Armory on K Street. The housing department estimated that would cost $100,000.