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Ojai council narrows supportive‑housing plan after $1M pledge, seeks donor flexibility
Summary
After a hours‑long debate and public outcry, the Ojai City Council voted to proceed with a reduced, budget‑constrained version of a 30‑unit permanent supportive housing project funded by a $12.7M state grant and to ask the project sponsor and donor about flexibility for five units earmarked for transitional‑age youth. Council also asked staff to study a smaller modular option on a second city parcel.
The Ojai City Council on April 14 moved to advance the city’s long‑planned permanent supportive housing project at the lower public‑works yard after a prolonged public hearing and days of cost and site analysis.
Council members were presented two options by staff and the project developer Dignity Moves: a value‑engineered scheme that fits the city’s $9.5 million allocation, and a more comfortable $10.5 million version made feasible by a newly announced, restricted $1 million private pledge. Jeff Gatis, who introduced the donor relationship for Dignity Moves, told the council the foundation’s gift is “designated specifically for the [public‑works] site” and for five of the 30 units to serve transition‑age youth.
The donation drove the sharpest debate. Supporters, including the donor’s spokesman and multiple public commenters, said the pledge strengthens the project’s viability and would increase the city’s chance of securing future grants. Architect Dylan Johnson described two schemes to council — one that trims finishes and…
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