THE FACE OF HOMELESSNESS is looking quite different to Cathy Brudnicki these days.

"We are seeing people who have never needed our services before," the executive director of the Ventura County Homeless and Housing Coalition told a recent gathering of Ventura leaders. "These are the people who used to be donors who are asking for help."

The soured economy has caused many more to start looking for help, Brudnicki said. Last year's count of the county's homeless population was put at almost 2,000 people but most say the numbers will rise in the latest tally. 

Many people tend to think of those hanging out in Plaza Park Downtown as typical of the homeless population here. But in reality an estimated 85 percent of these folks are hiding or living in their cars out of sight, said Cindy Cantle, who works for Supervisor Steve Bennett and chairs the Homelessness Task Force.

Many more are just one step away from desperation. In the City of Ventura, an estimated 20,000 people are at risk for homelessness because they earn under $25,000 per year, according local homeless advocate Sherry Cash.

But it costs very little to help those on the edge of homelessness.

"Since 2007, 54 families have been kept in their homes through the Ventura Homeless Prevention Fund," Cantle said.

TO BE ELIGIBLE to receive a grant from this fund, an applicant must be a Ventura resident still in housing, but in imminent danger of eviction or otherwise losing their housing. The precipitating cause of the problem must be determined to be a one-time, non-repetitive event or circumstance such as an accident, loss of job, temporary illness, medical bill, or a needed car repair that can be effectively mitigated with short-term corrective action.

Assistance is limited to $1,000 and is available only once per year per family or household. Checks are made payable only to third parties, landlords, mortgage companies, medical providers, auto shops, etc.

The One City, One Weekend, One Fund event this weekend raises money for this very worthy cause and culminates in an event Monday, Feb. 16 at My Florist Wine Café and Bakery at 76 S. Oak Street, Ventura. Donors are being asked to stop by between 1-3 p.m. Entertainment and refreshments are planned.

If you're in the neighborhood, stop by. If not, fill out this form and mail it in to the address provided.

The local efforts are part of an established county-wide program to address homelessness, but hard times have made the work much harder for these dedicated volunteers and social workers.

"The 10-year strategy to prevent homelessness is working but the economy is not," said Peter Brown, Community Services Manager for the City of Ventura.