The Camarillo City Council voted unanimously Aug. 13 to enter a memorandum of understanding with the County of Ventura to support a county-led Homekey Plus project on Lewis Road that would provide permanent supportive housing near the city.

Under the approved agreement the city will make a one-time capital contribution of $2,000,000 to help secure 10 dedicated units for Camarillo residents in an 88-unit project proposed by the county. The vote was 5-0.

Why it matters: The county applied for $27.9 million in Homekey Plus funding (Proposition 1) for the Lewis Road site; if awarded, the project would create 88 single-occupancy permanent supportive housing units for people experiencing homelessness who have behavioral-health connections. The city’s $2 million secures priority access for 10 Camarillo residents over the 55-year term of the state agreement while the county and its partners would handle operations and services.

Project details presented by Lisette Torres of the city manager’s office identified the site as 1732 Lewis Road (in unincorporated Ventura County) on the same campus as a former rain shelter and the Rancho Sierra development. The project would use modular construction to create units of about 200 square feet each, include ADA-compliant units, on-site supportive services and community space, and a single on-site manager unit.

Funding and match: The county’s Homekey Plus application requests $27.9 million — roughly $22.9 million for capital and $5 million for limited operational support. The Homekey Plus grant requires match funding. The county proposed a $10 million local match (split $5 million capital and $5 million operations). Camarillo’s $2 million would apply to the capital match; other match sources identified in the application include $2.5 million from Gold Coast Health Plan and the remaining local match from county or partner sources. Operational costs would be the county’s responsibility and would include behavioral-health funding sources identified in the grant.

Referrals and residency verification: The MOU requires that referrals follow the county’s coordinated entry system; Project Hope, Camarillo’s homeless outreach team, would submit candidates. Project Hope will verify Camarillo residency using existing criteria — including evidence of homelessness in the city for six months or longer via the homeless management information system or similar documentation. If no eligible Camarillo resident is available at any point, the MOU provides a process to ensure that another unit in the development will be prioritized to preserve the city’s ten-unit allocation.

Fiscal impact: Staff said the city will fund the $2 million contribution from the continuum-of-care commitment in the general fund; the reserve balance noted in the report was $3.8 million. Staff calculated the city’s contribution at roughly $200,000 per reserved unit over the 55-year term, or about $3,636 per reserved unit per year over the term. Staff said no ongoing operational funding from the city is required; the county and nonprofit Many Mansions (operator) will manage operations, services and maintenance should the grant be awarded.

Public comment and accessibility concerns: Two public speakers addressed the item. Maria Acosta asked procedural questions earlier in the meeting about other housing programs; Brian Schumacher, representing Autism Society Ventura County, supported the project and urged sensory-friendly design, quiet areas and collaboration with disability-service providers.

Outcome and next steps: The council approved the MOU and funding commitment by voice/roll call vote (5-0). The county had already approved the Homekey Plus application and a CEQA exemption on April 8, 2025. If the state award is confirmed, the county will execute the standard Homekey agreement, initiate modular construction procurement and begin an 18–24 month development timeline; Camarillo staff will forward the funding commitment to the county per the grant’s requirements.