5cities Homeless Coalition

5CITIES HOMELESS COALITION (5CHC) IS TRANSFORMING LIVES IN SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY, CALIFORNIA, FROM AVILA BEACH TO NIPOMO. 5CHC STRENGTHENS THE COMMUNITY BY MOBILIZING RESOURCES, FOSTERING HOPE, AND ADVOCATING FOR THE HOMELESS AND THOSE FACING HOMELESSNESS. THROUGH COLLABORATION AND LEADERSHIP 5CHC IS BUILDING AN ENGAGED COMMUNITY THAT FULLY UNDERSTANDS THE COMPLEXITIES OF HOMELESSNESS AND ACTIVELY SHARES THE RESPONSIBILITY OF CREATING AND IMPLEMENTING SOLUTIONS TO REDUCE IT.

THE HOUSING SUPPORT PROGRAM SERVES THOSE WHO ARE HOMELESS OR AT RISK OF LOSING HOUSING IN SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY. CASE MANAGEMENT, RENTAL AND DEPOSIT ASSISTANCE, INFORMATION AND REFERRAL TO COMMUNITY SERVICES, COMPREHENSIVE NEEDS ASSESSMENT, IDENTIFICATION OF BARRIERS TO SUCCESS, AND DEVELOPMENT OF AN IMMEDIATE ACTION PLAN. VISITORS TO 5CHC'S OFFICE ARE PROVIDED ACCESS TO COMPUTERS, INTERNET, PHONE CHARGING, MAILING ADDRESS, FOOD AND HYGIENE SUPPLIES. THE PROGRAM ALSO SERVES VETERANS WHO ARE HOMELESS OR AT RISK OF LOSING HOUSING THROUGH A JOINT EFFORT WITH GOOD SAMARITAN SHELTER TO PROVIDE SUPPORTIVE SERVICES FOR VETERAN FAMILIES (SSVF). THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS PROVIDES FUNDING FOR THIS PROGRAM.

OUTREACH AND OTHER PROGRAMS: INFORMATION AND REFERRAL, COORDINATED ENTRY: ASSISTANCE BEGINS WITH GENERAL INFORMATION AND REFERRAL TO COMMUNITY SERVICES COUPLED WITH A COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT OF NEEDS, IDENTIFICATION OF BARRIERS TO SUCCESS, AND DEVELOPMENT OF AN IMMEDIATE ACTION PLAN. 5CHC'S STAFF SERVES AS A SOURCE OF KNOWLEDGE, INFORMATION, AND REFERRAL SERVICES TO THOSE IN NEED. THIS YEAR THE "CABINS FOR CHANGE" IN GROVER BEACH WERE COMPLETED AND INHABITATED BY HOMELESS PEOPLE WHO APPLIED FOR THE PROGRAM. 20 10'X10' CABINS WERE CONSTRUCTED ON LEASED COUNTY PROPERTY AS TRANSITIONAL HOUSING. PLUS BATHROOMS, COMMUNITY ROOM, STAFF OFFICE, AND OUTSIDE AREA. THE FIRST GROUP OF RESIDENTS GRADUATED TO PERMANENT HOUSING, AND THE CABINS WERE REOCCUPIED WITH NEW APPLICANTS. THIS IS A HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL PROGRAM TO HOUSE THE HOMELESS AND MOVE THEM OFF THE STREETS TO PERMANENT JOBS AND HOUSING. 5CHC IS CONSTRUCTING ANOTHER SITE WITH 30 CABINS ON LAND PROVIDED BY THE CITY OF GROVER BEACH, AND FUNDED PRIMARILY BY BALAY KO FOUNDATION, WITH NEW CABINS PROVIDED BY SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY. CURRENTLY THERE IS A WAITING LIST OF APPLICANTS ELIGIBLE TO STAY IN THE CABINS. THIS PROGRAM IS TRULY A COMMUNITY EFFORT WITH SUPPORT COMING FROM THE COUNTY, CITIES, FOUNDATIONS, BUSINESSES, CHURCHES, AND INDIVIDUALS IN RECORD AMOUNTS FOR 5CHC TO CONTINUE ITS SUCCESSFUL EFFORTS TO HOUSE, FEED, AND SUPPORT THE HOMELESS.

RELATED PROGRAMS: IMMEDIATE NEEDS ASSISTS HOMELESS AND LOW-INCOME FAMILIES WHO RESIDE IN THE FIVE CITIES AREA (ARROYO GRANDE, PISMO BEACH, GROVER BEACH, SHELL BEACH, AVILA BEACH) WITH FUNDS TO ADDRESS THEIR IMMEDIATE NEEDS AND MOVE THEM TO SELF-SUFFICIENCY, HOME STABILITY, AND ECONOMIC IMPROVEMENT. ASSISTANCE IS USED FOR UTILITIES, FUEL, AUTO REPAIRS, FOOD, CLOTHING, AND UNPAID BILLS PAID DIRECTLY TO APPLICABLE VENDORS ON BEHALF OF PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS. HOMELESS YOUTH MATCHES A CASE MANAGER WITH UNACCOMPANIED YOUTH AGED 16-24 TO PROVIDE EDUCATION, CONNECTION, AND SERVICES SUCH AS IMMEDIATE NEEDS, HOUSING, AND DEVELOPMENT OF AN INDIVIDUALIZED ACTION PLAN TO ASSIST THEM IN LIVING INDEPENDENTLY, MAINTAINING STEADY EMPLOYMENT, AND CONTINUING THEIR EDUCATION. BENEFITS ADVOCACY; THOSE ENROLLED IN 5CHC'S CASE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM ARE OFFERED ADDITIONAL GUIDANCE AND ADVOCACY FOR OBTAINING AND RETAINING PUBLIC BENEFITS SUCH AS SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME (SSI), SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY INSURANCE (SSDI), CALFRESH, AND OTHER ASSISTANCE. PARTICIPANTS ARE ENCOURAGED TO LEARN FINANCIAL LITERACY AND BUDGETING.

WARMING CENTER PROVIDES AN OVERNIGHT WARMING CENTER DURING THE WINTER MONTHS WHEN TEMPERATURE PREDICTIONS ARE AT OR BELOW 38 DEGREES OR THERE IS RAIN POTENTIAL OF 50% OR MORE FROM NOVEMBER THROUGH APRIL OF EACH YEAR. THOSE STAYING AT THE WARMING CENTER ARE PROVIDED MEALS AND LAUNDRY SERVICES AND MAY ARRIVE BY 5:30PM AND LEAVE BY 7AM THE FOLLOWING DAY.