In Ventura County’s State of The County address, County Executive Officer Mike Powers discussed key issues that the county faced during the year and what additional plans are set in place for the future.

Ventura County held the Sept. 30 Zoom meeting to inform the public on how the county has been doing economically during the pandemic, provide information on programs available to Ventura County citizens and to discuss future developments.

County Executive Officer Mike Powers spoke about the funding that was used during the COVID-19 pandemic and how the vaccine efforts are unfolding.

As of Oct. 15, 81.9% of the population that is 18 years and older have received at least one dose of the vaccine according to the Ventura County Recovers website.

“It’s one of the highest of the state and certainly one of the highest in the nation,” stated Powers.

Powers presented a pie chart that allocated where Ventura County’s COVID-19 funding was spent. $80 million went toward testing and $202 million went toward local assistance, while the remaining went toward other operations. In total, Ventura County has spent $392 million on COVID-19 related expenses since the global pandemic began.

Moving forward, the county plans to prioritize a focus in five sections including economic recovery, homelessness and mental health. Powers shared about the groups that were most affected economically due to the pandemic.

“Women, minority-owned, small businesses were severely impacted,” said Powers. “And so that’s why the board wanted to make sure that our response really focused on those areas.”

Powers analyzed developments that will help assist employers and individuals who need assistance with joining the workforce. Among the programs are Bridges 2 Work which will help aid individuals who are transitioning from prison to the workforce and the Disability Employment Accelerator program that provides employment guidance for people with disabilities.

The county has also faced housing and shelter issues over the course of the pandemic. Powers stated that Ventura County has been able to provide housing to 1,760 individuals since the pandemic started, including single adults and families with children.

Powers reviewed new housing developments being created in Ventura County. Currently, there are 17 awaiting developments of affordable housing and 12 permanent supportive housing developments pending.

“I’m excited to share, ’cause I want to make sure that the community- that all of you- know this,” expressed Powers. “There’s a lot of community-based programs out there where these folks go out into the community to work with people facing homelessness.”

The programs also include the Whole Person Care program that helps communities that need assistance in healthcare and housing support. The program will be extended to individuals who experience homelessness, mental illness and addiction.

“This is going to transform healthcare going forward in my humble estimation,” said Powers.