OXNARD : Shelter Seeks Help in Finding New Site

The director of Ventura County’s largest homeless shelter has said that he will not be able to pay about $50,000 owed to the city of Oxnard in utility bills until the city helps the shelter find a new location.

The Rev. Jim Gilmer, chairman of the Zoe Christian Center, said on Tuesday that he is unable to raise funds as long as the shelter remains at its present site on Rose Avenue.

Government and private agencies have stopped funding Zoe because it is too close to industries that store hazardous materials.

Gilmer said the 140-bed shelter stands to lose $129,000 in state funding unless it finds a new site by Jan. 28.

“Unless the city commits to helping us find a new place, we have nothing,” Gilmer said at a council meeting attended by about 40 Zoe residents.

“I think it’s sickening that some council members are taking the attitude of ‘Let’s get tough on them’ and threatening to turn off the water on these families,” he said, citing the homeless families.

City officials contacted Gilmer last week and asked him to pay the overdue utility bills.

After Tuesday’s meeting, Councilman Michael Plisky said he still intends to collect.

“Homelessness is a regional problem,” he said. “I think it’s up to Zoe to go to all the cities in the county and ask them to help out. Oxnard shouldn’t have to foot the entire bill.”