April 10, 2026 Forum Recap Point-in-Time: Housing as Healthcare

The April HOME Forum brought together leaders from across Ventura County’s housing, healthcare, and social service sectors for a comprehensive discussion centered on one critical theme: housing is not just a social issue—it is a healthcare solution.

From data-driven progress to policy shifts and real-world implementation challenges, the conversation highlighted both meaningful momentum and the complex road ahead.

Encouraging Progress: A Measurable Shift in Homelessness Trends

The forum opened with a strong and hopeful update from Ventura County’s Housing and Homelessness Solutions team. Recent data from the annual Point-in-Time Count revealed:

• A 28% decrease in overall homelessness since 2023

• An additional 11.8% decrease year-over-year (2025–2026)

• A 34% reduction in unsheltered homelessness since 2023

These are not abstract numbers—they represent real individuals finding stability. As emphasized during the presentation, every number represents a person with a unique story.

This progress is largely attributed to:

• Expansion of permanent supportive housing (297 new units)

• Increased homelessness prevention efforts (such as rental assistance)

• Targeted investments in veteran and youth populations

• Strong cross-agency collaboration

Notably, Ventura County has seen:

• A 69% decrease in unsheltered veteran homelessness

• A 65% decrease among transitional-age youth

These outcomes reinforce a clear takeaway: when resources are aligned and partnerships are strong, measurable change is possible.

The Core Shift: Integrating Housing and Healthcare

A central theme throughout the forum was the evolving integration between housing systems and healthcare infrastructure.

With the rollout of Proposition 1 (Behavioral Health Services Act – BHSA), California is fundamentally reshaping how funding is allocated:

• 30% of funding is now dedicated to housing interventions

• Increased emphasis on wraparound care and full-service partnerships

• A shift toward addressing individuals with co-occurring behavioral health and housing needs

This marks a significant evolution—housing is no longer adjacent to care, but embedded within it.

However, this shift introduces new challenges:

• Housing funds cannot be used for clinical services

• Clinical funding pools are being reduced to accommodate housing allocations

• Long-term sustainability depends on balancing infrastructure with ongoing care

As one speaker noted, housing without support is temporary—true stability requires both.

New Tools in Action: CalAIM and the “Housing Trio”

The forum also highlighted how CalAIM (California Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal) is operationalizing this integration.

Through Medi-Cal, Ventura County is now delivering non-traditional healthcare services, including housing support.

• Enhanced Care Management (ECM): Personalized, high-touch care coordination focused on high-risk populations (homeless, justice-involved, high utilizers)

• Community Supports: Services addressing social drivers of health (food, transportation, housing)

• The “Housing Trio” + Transitional Rent: A coordinated set of housing-focused supports that include:

  • Housing Navigation – finding and securing housing

  • Housing Deposits – covering upfront costs

  • Tenancy & Sustaining Services – ongoing support

  • Transitional Rent – up to 6 months of rent coverage

While this model represents a major innovation—healthcare dollars directly funding housing access—it also introduces friction:

• Programs are highly eligibility-specific

• Landlord participation, especially in the private sector, remains uncertain

• Long-term sustainability hinges on post-subsidy planning (“month seven”)

Human Impact: Why This Work Matters

Beyond policy and funding, the forum grounded the conversation in human outcomes.

Key insights included:

• Individuals experiencing homelessness with mental illness may face a reduction in life expectancy of up to 30 years

• They are significantly more likely to be victims of violence than perpetrators

• Without stable housing, treatment outcomes decline significantly

The conclusion was clear: housing is the foundation for recovery, stability, and long-term health.

The Reality Check: Gaps, Risks, and System Strain

While the data shows progress and exciting new potential, the forum did not shy away from the challenges ahead.

1. Loss of Interim Housing Capacity

• Nearly 400 temporary shelter beds have been lost as pandemic-era programs ended

• Immediate need for bridge housing options remains critical

2. Future Development Uncertainty

• Strong pipeline through 2027—but a sharp decline is projected beyond 2027

• Developers face:

  • Funding uncertainty

  • Rising operational costs

  • Hesitation around supportive housing models and the tax credits necessary to fund these units

3. Increasing System Complexity

• Multiple entry points (“no wrong door”) in theory

• In practice, navigation is increasingly difficult for individuals in crisis

4. Funding Instability

• Federal policy shifts

• Medicaid (Medi-Cal) enrollment reductions

• Reliance on braided funding models to sustain programs

As discussed throughout the forum, housing as healthcare is complex—and evolving rapidly.

Looking Ahead: A Call for Collaboration and Innovation

The April Forum underscored that while Ventura County is making meaningful progress, the next phase will require deeper coordination, creativity, and commitment.

Moving forward, success will depend on:

• Strengthening cross-sector partnerships

• Expanding interim and permanent housing solutions

• Improving system navigation for individuals

• Securing sustainable, multi-year funding strategies

Perhaps most importantly, it will require maintaining a shared mindset:

There is no single solution—but together, the system can work.

Final Takeaway

Ventura County is emerging as a model for what’s possible when housing and healthcare align—but the work is far from finished.

The April HOME Forum made one thing clear: progress is real, but so is the urgency to keep building.