In October 2018, the Thousand Oaks City Council signed a county-wide Memorandum of Understanding to reaffirm that addressing homelessness in Thousand Oaks is a top priority.  

Homelessness is a national humanitarian crisis and no city is immune from this issue. There are people in our community and from our community experiencing homelessness. While the City does not provide direct services, our goal is to serve as a convener, provide community leadership, and develop and implement strategies that link people with resources. We work to enforce local regulations; and to help businesses and residents understand homelessness, their role, ways to contribute, and how law enforcement can help. 

Here's a Look at What We're Doing

• The Homekey application was successful and $27 million was awarded to provide 77 units of permanent supportive housing.
• City Council approved the release of an RFP to create a Navigation Center at 1205 Lawrence Dr.
• A dedicated law enforcement team that works hand-in-hand with social service.
• City Council Ad-Hoc Committee that's taking a deep look at local issues, challenges and resources so we can understand our role and where we might have the greatest impact.
• Service Request app (online and mobile) where users can report and map concerns on City property.
• Working closely with our partners at the County level to connect people to resources and participate in regional efforts.

Project Homekey

The Homekey Program is a statewide effort to sustain and rapidly expand housing for persons experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness, and who are, thereby, inherently impacted by COVID-19 and other communicable diseases. Homekey Round 2 continues to build on the success of both Project Roomkey and the first round of Homekey.

The state has committed approximately $1.45 billion to the Program for FY2021-22, which is administered by the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD).

The Program will make grant funding available to local public  entities, including cities to acquire and convert existing buildings, including hotels, into Permanent or Interim Housing for persons experiencing homelessness or at-risk of homelessness.  The funding can also be used for conversion of units from nonresidential to residential, new construction, master leasing of properties for non-congregate housing, and scattered site housing where units are dedicated to the target population.  All applicants must use a housing first model.  

Where are we in the process?

The Homekey Grant application was successfully awarded! Learn more about the initial reward here: 
$27 Million State Homekey Grant Signifies Landmark Funding to Address Homelessness in Thousand Oaks

Shangri-La Development is converting the Former Quality Inn into permanent supportive housing for chronically homeless and homeless individuals under the Project Homekey initiative. Learn more about Step Up In Thousand Oaks here.

On September 28th, 2022, a formal groundbreaking took place at the Former Quality Inn

Navigation Center

In addition to the 77 units of permanent supportive housing, the City Council approved the release of an RFP to create 30 units of temporary interim housing, also known as a Navigation Center. 

A Navigation Center is a critical access point and gateway to assist individuals experiencing homelessness. The onsite support and housing navigation services will help individuals become housing ready to transition to a more permanent housing environment. It is not the traditional drop-in shelter, but rather a comprehensive step toward assisting those seeking help.

Benefits include: 

• This missing component has hampered the City's ability to be more effective in its response to homelessness
• Full-time qualified operator on-site
• This location is city-owned property, and there are cost savings to siting the center on city property
• Navigation center models show very few calls for emergency services
• The operator will be required to provide 24-hour onsite security
• Persons cannot just walk up and receive services. Referrals must come from a local nonprofit agency or service provider, and preference is given to Thousand Oaks residents
• Seeking a modular housing system through the RFP process will reduce construction time and costs and is more cost-effective than not providing housing

Download the informational flyer here.

The City was awarded $5.8 million in competitive grant funding to support the construction and operations of the Navigation Center, learn more here.