Those wondering who the homeless are in Thousand Oaks can read a new survey sponsored and conducted by the Ventura County Homeless and Housing Coalition (VCHHC).

They can also ask Jerry Broms, a volunteer at Lutheran Social Services in Thousand Oaks since 1998.

More than 100 homeless people get mail sent to the center at 80 E. Hillcrest Drive. They also can shower there, eat from a free food pantry, do their laundry and get counseling.

"The people who come here are truly homeless. When the winter shelter closes, they live on the streets," said Broms, a retired engineer.

Lutheran Social Services does a lot for them, but most are seriously mentally disabled and need an outreach program to help them get the medication they need, he said.

"It's really a sad situation. Many are alcohol or drug dependent," Broms said.

According to the VCHHC, the Conejo Valley winter shelter program had 31 people participating- 18 men, 4 women and 9 children. The shelter is open overnight at a different house of worship each night of the week during the winter months. The rest of the year a meal program continues where people can come and eat dinner but not stay the night.

The survey required by the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development counts how many the county has in homeless shelters so the coalition can apply for grant money. VCHHC asks more questions than required to help determine how to improve services for the homeless.

The homeless were asked how long they've lived in Ventura County. This year 13 percent said they'd lived in the county less than one year, compared to 16 percent of those questioned in 1998. Sixty-two percent said they had lived in the county for more than 10 years in the 2008 survey compared to 56 percent in 1998.

Of the 426 who answered in the 2008 survey, 383 said they had trouble with addiction, mental illness or physical ailments that contributed to their homelessness.

Three of the top reasons for being homeless were drug/alcohol addiction, lost jobs and evictions.

The majority of those homeless- 61 percent- were Caucasian, with Hispanics next at 26 percent.

The survey said 70 percent had a high school education or above.

One percent said they had a source of income that included veteran's pay. Those with income from Social Security numbered 9 percent. Thirty-four percent said they had no income.

When asked what they needed to get housing, 25 percent said a job, 10 percent listed sobriety, 8.5 percent needed their credit repaired, 4 percent said transportation and 13 percent would need more income. Affordable housing came in at 30 percent.

Nearly half said they had health concerns, which included asthma, arthritis, high blood pressure, dental issues or feet and leg problems.

Forty-three percent said they have been victims of physical violence. Twenty-two percent said they've been sexually abused.