Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Human Services topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
211 Ventura County tells Ojai council housing is top need among local callers
Summary
Interface 2-1-1 reported that housing-related help was the single largest need among Ojai callers in 2025; staff said 211 handled dozens of Ojai contacts and offers 24/7 information and referral to thousands of local resources.
Interface 2-1-1 gave the council a brief overview of its countywide information-and-referral service and how Ojai residents use it. Gerardo Gonzalez, Community Information Associate Director, said the program connects residents to more than 2,000 regional health and human‑service resources and operates 24/7.
Gonzalez told the council that 211 took 282 calls from Ojai residents in 2025 but corrected a slip in an earlier slide (a presenter error noted that figure on a slide should have read 238). He said housing was the top need among Ojai callers, followed by family/community support and income support, and that roughly 65% of Ojai callers contacted 211 more than once—indicating recurring need.
Gonzalez summarized specialized phone programs (tax-preparation through VITA, PSPS case management during power shutoffs, and targeted case management for eligible health‑plan members) and encouraged residents who need assistance to call, text their ZIP code, or visit the 211 Ventura County website.
Council members asked follow-up questions about trends, follow-up with callers, partner funding and whether the program captures outcomes of referrals; Gonzalez said staff do follow up with vulnerable callers but do not always know long-term outcomes.
