Ojai council holds workshop on permanent supportive housing design; no formal vote

The Ojai City Council held a workshop Sept. 30 to review construction documents for the OHAI permanent supportive housing project and asked staff and the developer to return with final drawings and bid alternates ahead of a Nov. 7 target for construction documents.

The project team led by Dignity Moves presented detailed plans for a single‑story courtyard building of 30 single‑room-occupancy units (with two double units), a central communal gathering room, laundry and administrative space, and outdoor courtyard and landscaping. Lucas Seibert, Ojai community development director, opened the item by saying, "The item before you tonight is a workshop," and noted the meeting would not produce a formal decision.

Why it matters: Council and the community called for design features that respond to wildfire risk, accessibility and climate impacts while keeping the project within a fixed grant-funded budget. The project is intended as permanent supportive housing for low-income and elderly residents and will replace a current encampment model, city staff said.

Key project features and schedule - Unit count and layout: The design shown is 30 SRO units and two double units around a central courtyard; the plan includes a community gathering space (not a commercial kitchen), a laundry room with three washer/dryer hookups and three dryer hookups, and three offices for support staff. Dylan Johnson, the architect on the Dignity Moves team, described the courtyard scheme and the interior layout for residents. - Accessibility: The design team said all units will be 100% accessible (roll‑in showers, grab bars, accessible circulation) rather than only a code minimum number of accessible units. - Wildfire and…