City Council — 2024-01-23

Encampment Resolution Funding Grant Application

• The proposal outlines converting the encampment behind City Hall into managed Single Room Occupancy housing with supportive services.
• Funding relies on state grants for startup and two years of operations, leaving long-term annual costs undetermined.
• Council deliberation addressed public feedback regarding site location, safety risks, and long-term financial planning.
• The Council authorized the grant application submission and directed staff to facilitate the proposed stakeholder working group.

Meeting Summary: Ojai City Council – Encampment Resolution Funding Grant Application

Overview

• The Ojai City Council held a special meeting to discuss the submission of a Round 3 Encampment Resolution Funding (ERF) grant application. The proposal aims to address the current unmanaged encampment behind City Hall by transitioning it into a managed Single Room Occupancy (SRO) housing project with supportive services. The meeting included presentations on the project structure, extensive public comment, and council deliberation regarding budget, location, and long-term strategy.

Project Structure and Financials

• SRO Model: The intent is to create SRO units that qualify as housing, complete with kitchens and restrooms, rather than temporary tents. Residents would sign lease agreements.
• Rent and Sustainability: Residents would pay 30% of their income toward rent. Based on an estimated Social Security income of $1,200/month, this would generate approximately $360/unit/month to help offset operational costs.
• Grant Coverage: The proposed grant covers startup infrastructure costs and operating expenses for the first two years.
• Long-Term Funding: After the initial two-year grant period expires, the City would need to secure ongoing funding through mechanisms such as Continuum of Care, Emergency Solutions Grants, or Community Development Block Grants. Long-term annual operating costs for years three and beyond are currently undetermined.
• Case Management & Services: The plan includes case management, supportive services, security patrols, and sanitation facilities to address safety concerns in the neighborhood.
• County Partnership: There is currently no permanent funding agreement between the City and Ventura County regarding cost-sharing for this project. However, the County is currently providing a case manager at no cost to assist with the grant application process.

Public Comment Summary

• Over 25 residents provided comments, generally divided between concern over the specific location/costs and support for addressing the homelessness crisis.
• Concerns & Opposition:
• Location: Several residents objected to using the Kent Hall parking lot, citing its status as a historical landmark (Smith-Hopson property) intended for educational/cultural use.
• Safety & Nuisance: Residents reported issues with noise, trespassing, sanitation, and aggression spilling into the neighborhood. Some expressed fear that the project would turn a residential area into a social service zone.
• Financial Uncertainty: Multiple speakers questioned the long-term "nut" (annual operating cost) if the city cannot secure future grants.
• Process: Critics argued the process lacked transparency, noting insufficient notification to neighbors prior to the proposal.
• Language: Several speakers expressed concern over dehumanizing language used in the proposal regarding the unhoused population.
• Support:
• Necessity: Advocates and some residents argued the current situation poses significant health (disease, fire) and safety risks.
• Housing First: Supporters emphasized the "Housing First" model as the only legal path to dismantling the encampment.
• Community Inclusion: Several unhoused individuals and advocates requested that residents of the encampment be included in the decision-making process.
• Funding Leverage: Supporters argued that turning down the grant removes leverage to negotiate with the County or explore other options.
• Stakeholder Working Group: The Ojai Valley Green Coalition proposed forming a multi-stakeholder working group (including neighbors, unhoused individuals, city staff, and law enforcement) to manage the project and future planning.

Council Deliberation

• Arguments for Approval: Council Members Rule and Francina argued that applying for the grant keeps options open, secures necessary funding, and does not preclude future planning or partnerships with the County. They emphasized the urgency of the safety risks.
• Arguments for Caution: Council Member Whitman (who voted No) and others argued the Council should wait for the new City Manager (Ben Harvey) to assess the situation, secure a budget, and negotiate a formal cost-sharing agreement with the County before committing.
• Outcome: Council Member Rule moved to authorize the grant application and direct the City Manager to engage the Green Coalition for a stakeholder working group. Council Member Francina seconded the motion.

Vote and Resolution

• The Council voted on the motion to authorize the grant application:
• Yes: Mayor Stixx, Council Member Lange, Council Member Rule, Council Member Francina.
• No: Council Member Whitman.
• The motion passed. The City is authorized to submit the grant application, and the City Manager is directed to facilitate the stakeholder working group. Items 7 and 8 were continued to a future meeting.