HELPING HOMELESS FAMILIES FIND TEMPORARY HOUSING THROUGH VARIOUS PROGRAMS AND PARTNERSHIPS. THEY OFFER CRISIS HOUSING MOTEL VOUCHERS AND CONNECT FAMILIES WITH FAMILY SOLUTION CENTERS FOR PERMANENT HOUSING OPTIONS. MORE INFO HERE

*** 211 CAN ALSO HELP ROUTE FAMILES TO COOLING CENTERS AND HYDRATION STATIONS ACROSS ALL COUNTIES.

WHAT THEY DO: Serves low-income individuals and families across Ventura County through anti-poverty, energy, food, and housing initiatives. Key programs include:

HEAP & Home Weatherization: Direct financial utility bill assistance and home energy-efficiency upgrades for eligible households.

Homeless & Basic Needs Services: Offers unsheltered residents access to showers, laundry, clean clothing, mail services, and housing navigation.

Food Assistance: Operates weekly food pantry distributions, drive-thru markets, produce box drops, and home food delivery for homebound individuals.

PHONE: (805) 436-4000

LINK: https://ca-vc.org/

WHAT THEY DO: Serves as the primary 24/7 entry point for all public mental health and substance use treatment services across Ventura County. They offer immediate crisis support, suicide prevention counseling, substance use assessments, and direct warm-transfers to county mental health programs. They also dispatch the VCBH Mobile Crisis Team (available for youth and adults) to conduct on-site psychiatric evaluations during acute behavioral emergencies.

PHONE: (866) 998-2243 (Toll-Free, Confidential, 24/7)

LINK: https://hca.venturacounty.gov/behavioral-health/

WHAT THEY DO: The primary regional food bank and Feeding America member serving Ventura County. They distribute tens of millions of pounds of food annually through a network of over 160 local pantry partners, drive-thru emergency food box distributions, senior food kit programs (CSFP), and youth nutrition initiatives. They also operate a free mobile app ("Find Food Now") that allows residents to find nearby open pantries in real time.

PHONE: (805) 983-7100

LINK: https://foodshare.com/

WHAT THEY DO: Provides emergency food assistance to individuals and families living in the Conejo Valley area (Thousand Oaks, Newbury Park, Westlake Village). Clients can receive nutritious groceries, fresh produce, and pantry staples through scheduled appointments and walk-in pantry services.

PHONE: (805) 497-4959

LINK: https://mannaconejo.org/

WHAT THEY DO: Operates a weekly emergency food pantry supplying essential groceries, non-perishable staples, and fresh food to individuals and families facing hunger in Ventura. They also offer sack lunches for unsheltered individuals alongside utility and rental assistance referrals.

PHONE: (805) 643-4694

LINK: https://www.catholiccharitiesvc.org/

WHAT THEY DO: Serves as the primary social service hub for the Ojai Valley, providing a full-service food pantry with fresh produce, canned goods, dairy, and household essentials. They also arrange local home food delivery for homebound seniors and disabled residents upon request.

PHONE: (805) 640-3320

LINK: https://helpofojai.org/

WHAT THEY DO: Operates a drop-in center and food pantry for low-income families, seniors, and unhoused individuals in East Ventura County. They provide emergency grocery boxes, hot meals, access to showers and laundry facilities, case management, and basic needs assistance.

LINK: https://samaritancentersimivalley.org/

WHAT THEY DO: Manages emergency food distribution programs serving the Santa Clara River Valley. They provide weekly grocery pickups, USDA food pantry distributions, and hot meal services to support low-income families, agriculture workers, and unhoused residents in Santa Paula and Fillmore.

PHONE: (805) 229-7750

LINK: https://www.spiritofsantapaula.org/

WHAT THEY DO: Offers basic needs relief including clean water access, emergency grocery distributions, hot meal programs, and clothing vouchers. They also operate a Transitional Living Center that provides housing navigation, case management, and shelter for single women and families with children.

PHONE: (805) 659-3598

LINK: https://ventura.salvationarmy.org

WHAT THEY DO: Functions as a vital community relief center offering clean drinking water access, emergency food pantry packages, clothing assistance, and emergency utility support for low-income and unhoused families in the Oxnard area.

PHONE: (805) 483-9235

LINK: https://oxnard.salvationarmy.org

Seven days a week from 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM and 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM (closed 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM daily for maintenance).

ADDRESS: 3700 Avenida Simi, Simi Valley, CA 93063

Open seasonally from Memorial Day weekend through late September, daily from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM.

ADDRESS: 5600 Hollytree Dr., Oak Park, CA 91377

Open daily during center hours.

ADDRESS: 2751 Park View Ct., Oxnard, CA 93036

Open daily during marketplace hours.

ADDRESS: 275 N. Moorpark Rd., Thousand Oaks, CA 91360

WHAT THEY DO: Mobile multi-agency event clinics operated by the Ventura County Health Care Agency (VCHCA). Designed for individuals experiencing or at risk of homelessness, these pop-up clinics provide on-site medical checkups, prescriptions, TB/HIV testing, and behavioral health/addiction assessments. They also offer direct enrollment for Medi-Cal, CalFresh (food stamps), and General Relief, alongside case management, veteran assistance, and sack lunches. Clinics rotate weekly across multiple cities, including Ventura, Oxnard, Camarillo, Santa Paula, and Simi Valley.

PHONE: (805) 652-6694 (Health Care for the Homeless Line)

LINK: https://hca.venturacounty.gov/ambulatory-care/services/health-care-for-the-homeless/

WHAT THEY DO: The main public health system for Ventura County, providing comprehensive primary care, specialty medical services, behavioral health treatment, and emergency care. They operate Ambulatory Care Clinics (FQHCs) across eight cities, Ventura County Medical Center (VCMC), Santa Paula Hospital, and public health initiatives. Programs include Medi-Cal/Covered California enrollment support, "Health Care for All" coverage assistance, immunizations, mental health crisis response, addiction recovery, and mobile "Health Care for the Homeless" clinics.

PHONE: (805) 677-5290 (General Info) | (805) 981-5212 (Health Insurance Enrollment Help) | (866) 998-2243 (24/7 Behavioral Health Crisis Line)

LINK: https://hca.venturacounty.gov/

WHAT THEY DO: A premier Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) network providing accessible, high-quality healthcare across Ventura County. They offer primary care, pediatrics, OB/GYN, dental, vision, mental health counseling, podiatry, and low-cost pharmacy services. Care is provided on a sliding-fee scale based on income for uninsured individuals, and they accept Medi-Cal, Medicare, and various health plans.

ADDRESS: 200 S. Wells Rd., Ventura, CA 93004 (Ventura Health Center; additional health centers located throughout Oxnard, Santa Paula, Fillmore, Simi Valley, Ojai, Moorpark, and Newbury Park)

PHONE: (805) 647-6322 (General Line / Appointments)

LINK: https://clinicas.org/

WHAT THEY DO: Operated by the Ventura County Human Services Agency in partnership with RAIN Communities, Inc., this program provides temporary, scattered-site bridge housing (including leased apartments and motels) for families transitioning out of homelessness. Residents receive intensive case management, housing navigation, transportation assistance, food support, and basic needs funding to help them secure permanent, long-term housing.

PHONE: (805) 385-1800 or (805) 383-7505 (County Homeless Services Intake Line)

LINK: https://venturacounty.gov/human-services-agency/homeless-services/

WHAT THEY DO: Provides comprehensive behavioral health services, emergency shelters, transitional housing, and permanent supportive housing for Ventura County adults experiencing mental illness and homelessness. They operate Our Place Shelter (a drop-in center and emergency shelter), the River Haven dome shelter community, board and care homes, supportive housing programs, and the Veterans Transitional Housing Program. Services include intensive case management, mental health treatment, life-skills coaching, and vocational rehabilitation.

PHONE: (805) 652-2151

LINK: https://turningpointfoundation.org/

WHAT THEY DO: Provides transitional housing and shelter support for unhoused families and individuals in Ventura County. Residents receive safe interim shelter, comprehensive case management, life-skills classes, parenting support, and housing navigation to help them transition into stable permanent housing.

PHONE: (805) 648-4977 (Main Desk) | Call 2-1-1 for Ventura County Shelter Intake

LINK: https://venturatlc.salvationarmy.org

WHAT THEY DO: Operating through local parish "Conferences of Charity" across Ventura County, St. Vincent de Paul focuses heavily on homelessness prevention and emergency assistance. They provide emergency rental arrears assistance, utility bill-pay support, and financial aid to prevent eviction and keep families in their homes. For households transitioning into housing or experiencing homelessness, they also offer emergency food packages, clothing vouchers, drive-thru pantries, and case management referrals.

PHONE: (888) 552-7872 (Ventura Regional Services Helpline) | (805) 642-4104 (Ventura City Conference) | (805) 496-0222 ext. 109 (Conejo Valley / East County Helpline)

LINK: https://svdpla.org/find-assistance/

WHAT THEY DO: A community-based nonprofit providing housing stability and relief programs for low-income and unhoused residents in Ventura. Their Homeless 2 Home (H2H) and housing assistance initiatives provide case management, housing navigation, rental/eviction prevention assistance, and transitional support. They also operate one of the area's largest food pantries and provide free youth tutoring services.

PHONE: (805) 652-1326

LINK: https://www.projectunderstanding.org/

WHAT THEY DO: Manages emergency shelter services, housing navigation, and permanent supportive housing programs across Ventura County (including operating the Ventura Homeless Prevention Center). They provide intake, case management, and direct transition programs to connect unhoused individuals and families with stable housing.

PHONE: Call 2-1-1 for Emergency Shelter Intake | (714) 836-7188 (Admin Desk)

LINK: https://www.mercyhouse.net/regions/ventura-county

WHAT THEY DO: A transitional living facility in Ventura designed specifically for unhoused single parents and couples with minor children. They provide private apartments alongside mandatory wrap-around services including financial literacy classes, employment counseling, parenting training, and case management to help families transition to self-sufficiency and permanent housing within 1 to 2 years.

PHONE: (805) 628-9035

LINK: http://thecitycenter.org/

WHAT THEY DO: Operates emergency shelter and transitional residential programming specifically for single women and mothers with children. They offer emergency shelter beds, daily meals, substance recovery support, medical care, life skills training, and housing navigation to help women and families escape homelessness and domestic hardship.

PHONE: (805) 385-7200

LINK: https://vcrescuemission.org/lighthouse/

WHAT THEY DO: Provides well-managed, highly affordable permanent supportive housing and emergency housing programs for low-income residents, unhoused individuals, veterans, and families in Ventura County. Their residential sites feature on-site supportive services, life skills workshops, case management, and free after-school homework centers for children.

PHONE: (805) 496-4948

LINK: https://www.manymansions.org/

WHAT THEY DO: Operates Ventura County's public health system, providing comprehensive primary care, specialty medical services, mental health care, and emergency treatment across the region. Their network includes two acute care hospitals (Ventura County Medical Center and Santa Paula Hospital), dozens of outpatient community health clinics, Public Health programs, and 24/7 Behavioral Health Crisis services. They also offer health insurance enrollment assistance (Medi-Cal and Covered California) and run specialized programs for low-income and unhoused residents.

PHONE: (805) 677-5110 (General Info) | (805) 981-5212 (Health Insurance Enrollment Help) | (866) 998-2243 (24/7 Mental Health Crisis Line)

LINK: https://hca.venturacounty.gov/

WHAT THEY DO: Provides critical support for unhoused and low-income pet owners across Ventura County. Their Pet Pantry program supplies free dog and cat food, litter, and basic pet care items to prevent pet surrender during housing transitions. They also partner with national networks (like Pets of the Homeless) to connect unsheltered pet owners with free emergency veterinary care and spay/neuter services.

PHONE: (805) 388-4341

LINK: https://animalservices.venturacounty.gov/petassistance/

WHAT THEY DO: Operates dedicated street outreach and shelter services for youth ages 12–24 who are unhoused, couch surfing, or at risk of homelessness. Their Street Outreach Program meets youth where they are to provide emergency supplies, hygiene kits, safety planning, and housing navigation. They also operate Ventura County's only licensed emergency youth shelter for ages 12–17.

PHONE: (805) 469-5882 (24/7 Youth Crisis & Homeless Line) | (805) 485-6114 (Main Line)

LINK: https://www.icfs.org/services/youth-crisis-homeless-services/

WHAT THEY DO: Coordinates the countywide "Stuff the Bus" initiative in partnership with the Ventura County Office of Education (VCOE). Every summer, the program collects and distributes thousands of new backpacks filled with grade-appropriate school supplies specifically targeted to students identified as unhoused or in temporary housing arrangements to ensure they start the school year fully equipped.

PHONE: (805) 485-6288

LINK: https://vcunitedway.org/education/stuff-the-bus/

WHAT THEY DO: Operates community safety-net programs targeting children and families facing extreme hardship. Their Supplies 4 Success program delivers free backpacks, books, and educational kits to low-income and unsheltered students, while their Care Closet provides emergency clothing, jackets, and essential hygiene items to children and families in crisis.

PHONE: (805) 643-2458

LINK: https://outreachalliancevc.org/

WHAT THEY DO: A specialized local non-profit dedicated to supporting unhoused pet owners across Ventura County. They provide free emergency veterinary care, spay/neuter coordination, rabies vaccinations, and routine medical treatments so individuals experiencing homelessness can keep their companion animals healthy. They also distribute pet food, leashes, harnesses, flea prevention, and essential pet supplies directly on-site at community outreach events.  

PHONE: (805) 766-5920  

LINK: https://buddynationangels.org