OXNARD, Calif. – The Vagabond Inn motel in Oxnard could soon become a permanent home for the homeless. The motel has already provided pandemic assistance, but now the replacement can help many more people off the streets.
“This is my room here,” said Henry Vasquez, who proudly displayed his motel room. “It’s very here, big big bed, air conditioning.
Vasquez has arrived long after being homeless since the 1990s.
“I’ve had a hard life,” Vasquez said, “but thanks to Ventura County, they helped me a lot. “
Vasquez has stayed at the Oxnard Vagabond Inn for nearly 4 months. He and others benefited from the Roomkey. Es a state initiative for other homeless people who are at greatest threat to COVID-19. The purpose is to lessen the spread of the virus by taking other homeless people off the streets and taking them to motels.
“They bring us food and give us clothes,” Vasquez said. “They helped me with transportation, through the Ventura transportation hub. The motel is clean.
Funding for the allowance is expected to end in January, however, the Oxnard motel may be just a permanent housing option.
“We are proceeding to acquire and convert the Oxnard Vagabond motel into 70 homes,” said Tara Carruth, manager of the Continuum of Care Program in Ventura County. “This effort is supported by $9. 5 million in Homekey’s state investment and $3. 5 million in support budget for county coronaviruses. “
If Homekey’s assignment came to fruition, it would mean that many other people in need would have a position to stay and stand again.
“I feel 100%,” Tony Bassin said, This position is much better than sleeping in my truck. “
Basin says he’s been living in his truck for about three years.
Project Roomkey provided shelter to more than 400 homeless people in Ventura County from March through June. Many of those clients were going to transition to Section 8 housing.
“I feel smart now because I’m safe, ” said Vasquez. “There, you can’t sleep with your eyes closed. Here, I can.
Senerey de los Santos is a multimedia journalist for KEYT KCOY (c) KKFX basically covers Ventura County.
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