Thousand Oaks says navigation center near completion; city reports reduction in homelessness

Assistant City Manager Ingrid Hardy told the council the city’s navigation center project is nearing the finish line and staff have coordinated with service providers to prepare clients for move-in.

"The navigation center ... is 90% complete," said Ingrid Hardy, noting state-mandated inspections and supply-chain delays slowed final work but the city expects to announce a ribbon-cutting soon.

Hardy said the Thousand Oaks Police Department and the navigation center operator, Harbor House, are working together on client selection so occupancy can begin without delay when the facility is cleared. IKEA is donating indoor and outdoor furniture for the center. Hardy also credited cross-departmental collaboration — police, public works and nonprofit partners — with recent reductions in visible encampments.

Hardy cited preliminary figures from the point-in-time count showing a 9% reduction in homelessness in Thousand Oaks compared with the previous count. Council members and staff cautioned that some outstanding issues remain, including the status of the Quality Inn Homekey/permanent supportive housing site and a programmatic gap at one local site the city continues to pursue with state counsel.

The council and staff also discussed partnerships with Ventura County behavioral-health teams and Harbor House, and noted plans to coordinate services with the navigation center operator. Staff emphasized the navigation center is part of a broader system of services and that operational readiness includes provider coordination and public-safety liaison work.