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Subcommittee backs contract amendment to keep outreach staff working with unsheltered residents
Summary
The Housing & Homeless Subcommittee voted 3–0 to forward a recommended amendment to the city council that extends funding for outreach and case-management services provided by Downtown Ventura Partners, covering one full-time outreach/social‑worker position and using ERF and private funds; staff said final figures will be reflected in the city council packet.
The Housing and Homeless Subcommittee unanimously voted to recommend that the City Council approve a first amendment to the general services agreement with Downtown Ventura Partners to continue street outreach and case management for individuals who were formerly living in the Santa Clara River.
In public comment, Kevin Clerici, director of Downtown Ventura Partners, urged the subcommittee to hold outreach contractors accountable while continuing to fund frontline work in parks, beaches and river bottoms. "We are the first line — individuals that are frankly in our parks, in our public beaches, in our river bottoms, trying to engage the hard-to-reach population," Clerici said, adding the organization now employs three full‑time staff funded in part by the contract and private donations.
Assistant Community Development Director Maru Haaklincay told the subcommittee the amendment covers one full-time equivalent homeless-services social worker and corrects an error on the online agenda. She explained the city originally used private Bellis Foundation funds and later amended its ERF (Encampment Resolution Fund) grant to include social services. "We are looking at a new not to exceed amount of $150,000, and we're going to be using those monies from the ERF grant to replenish those funds that came from the Bellis Fund," Haaklincay said, and recommended the subcommittee forward the amendment to council for approval.
Councilmember Duran asked for additional operational detail, and Clerici provided placement statistics he said reflect the partnership's work: dozens of placements at Ballantyne Road and other motel or scattered-site placements, plus family reconnections (75 in 2024, 58 in 2025, and 42 year‑to‑date). Clerici also noted that five individuals the program case-managed died over the past two years, a point he raised to underscore the health risks faced by people living outdoors.
Duran then moved to approve the staff recommendation and a colleague seconded; Chair Campos, Vice Chair Halter and Councilmember Duran voted yes and the subcommittee carried the motion 3–0 to forward the amendment recommendation to the City Council.
The subcommittee record shows staff intend the funding to sustain ongoing engagement with residents now living at Valentine Road and related placements; city staff said the final contract amount and funding sources will be included in the packet presented to council.
