Homelessness & the Need for Housing
Understanding Homelessness
Homelessness is the condition of lacking stable, safe, and adequate housing. California has the largest unhoused population than any state in the nation, surpassing over 171,500 people this year alone.
While homelessness is often thought of as street or shelter living, the definition encompasses many forms, some of which are unseen. Examples include:
- Temporarily living with others, without guarantee of continued residency
- Living in a place not suitable for permanent habitation, like a car or garage
- Lacking stable housing for more than year
The reasons for homelessness are varied and complex, ranging from the high cost of living, lack of affordable housing, barriers to employment, substance abuse, untreated mental and physical conditions, lack of social support networks, and more.
Homelessness in Ventura County
Over 2,300 people are experiencing homelessness in Ventura County, of which 1,200 are unsheltered.
Who Are These Individuals?
- Age: Approximately 20% are seniors – the fastest growing age demographic experiencing homelessness
- Ethnicity: The homeless population is diverse, with a mix of ethnic backgrounds, including White (50%), Hispanic/Latino (30%), and Black/African American (15%)
- Veterans: Approximately 10% of the homeless population are veterans
- Families: Families make up about 25% of the homeless population
Working Towards Permanent Housing Solutions
In California, the lack of affordable housing is a major driver of the region’s growing homelessness crisis. Many individuals and families, unable to afford basic necessities alongside market-rate rent, are becoming homeless for the first time.
Efforts to alleviate the homeless crisis within our region have shown promising results. Since 2023, sheltered and unsheltered homelessness has decreased by 18% (Ventura County 2025 Point-In-Time Count). This achievement is a testament to the collaboration and commitment of local government agencies, nonprofits, and the public in creating impactful, sustainable solutions.
Thrive Grove’s presence in Thousand Oaks will help to stem the region’s homelessness crisis by creating sustainable pathways to stable housing.
While this development is a significant milestone towards reducing the number of unhoused individuals, the urgent need for more permanent housing remains. By working together to build more community supported housing, we can continue to inspire solutions that drive meaningful change.
