Homelessness Response

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Homelessness is a complex issue that impacts everyone in San Luis Obispo. The City is working to find a fair solution that respects the rights and dignity of our unhoused neighbors while also addressing health, safety, and environmental concerns.

Our goal is for all community members to have access to the resources they need to prevent and address homelessness. We aim to reduce unsheltered homelessness by reaching out to help individuals and families find services and housing.

We encourage you to explore this webpage to learn more about the City’s efforts to address homelessness, access resources, volunteer, or report an encampment. Your compassion and involvement make a difference.

Aerial image of the Welcome Home Village site on Johnson Avenue and Bishop Street taken January 2026.

Blue letters that spell CAPSLO with the o shaped like a heart

Homelessness Response Overview - Fiscal Year 2024-2025

Who to Contact?

➤ FOR ISSUES RELATED TO ILLICIT OR THREATENING ACTIVITY

Please call 911 to report an emergency involving criminal behavior where the crime is in progress, or the suspect is still on scene.

➤ FOR ISSUES RELATED TO NON-EMERGENCY ILLEGAL BEHAVIOR

Please call Non-Emergency Dispatch (805) 781-7312

➤ FOR ISSUES RELATED TO MENTAL HEALTH & SKILLED OUTREACH

Please call SLOPD’s Non-Emergency Dispatch (805) 781-7312 to request one of the following City outreach units (Mon-Fri, 8am-5pm):

Mobile Crisis Unit – Community Resources & Services Specialist and Licensed Psych Tech (LPT)
Community Action Team – Police Officer, Community Resources & Services Specialist and LPT

➤ TO REPORT AN ISSUE, ASK A QUESTION, OR REQUEST A SERVICE

Download the City’s Ask SLO app or visit https://www.slocity.org/services/how-do-i/ask-slo-copy/report-request to ask questions or provide community feedback directly to the City regarding homelessness issues and/or to report encampments at or adjacent to your location.

➤ FOR ALL OTHER HOMELESSNESS RESPONSE ISSUES OR QUESTIONS

Contact Daisy Wiberg, City of San Luis Obispo Homelessness Response Manager at dwiberg@slocity.org OR (805) 781-7025

C.A.M.P. - Compassionate Assistance, Mitigation, and Prevention

The City have established Compassionate Assistance, Mitigation and Prevention (CAMP) Standards as a framework to help reduce the negative impacts of homelessness in San Luis Obispo. The City of San Luis Obispo uses a collaborative, unified approach to addressing homelessness and is committed to exercising reasonable care, compassion and discretion when making decisions about homeless encampments in San Luis Obispo.

The City's approach focuses on assessment and support, agency and opportunity, and accountability. Staff must first assess the site before any action can be taken. If action can be taken by the City, staff are responsible for identifying the level of each site or encampment and following the related enforcement and communications guidelines. Click here to learn more about our CAMP standards.

SLO County Social Services

State Programs

The Housing and Homelessness Division (HHD) is within the California Department of Social Services (CDSS). The Division is responsible for program development and oversight of statewide housing programs funded by the CDSS. The Division also serves as a statewide technical assistance provider to all of California’s social services agencies. The Division aims to streamline services on both the local and statewide level to promote equal access to safe and affordable housing for all Californians. Learn more here.

How to Help

Warming Center at 40 Prado
The Warming Center currently needs sleeping bags and blanket donations, as well as the following:

Large trash bags
Coffee, tea, creamer, sugar
Yoga Mats & roll-up mattresses
Instant Noodle/Cup of Noodles
Large backpacks
New socks and warm gloves
Rain gear/ponchos/umbrellas
Warm Clothing (pants/sweatpants, sweaters, & coats)

Warming Center donations can be dropped off at 40 Prado Road. For questions regarding Warming Center donations & general questions, please call (805) 544-4004 x4.

VOLUNTEER

Please check with individual services providers by clicking the links below and contacting them to ask if they are a recruiting new volunteers.

5 Cities Homeless Coalition

DONATE OR FUNDRAISE

5 Cities Homeless Coalition

40 Prado Homeless Services Center

ECHO

Family Care Network

Independent Living Center

Shower the People

TMHA

For At-Risk Community Members

Below are some resources currently for anyone in San Luis Obispo who is at-risk of becoming homeless.

AVOID EVICTION
Tenants in California have rights. Landlords can only evict tenants for certain reasons. In fact, the State's Tenant Protection Act creates statewide eviction protections for most residential tenants after they have lived in their unit for 12 months. Get to Know Tenant Protections.

GET FOOD ASSISTANCE
CalFresh is a federal nutrition program for low-income individuals and families that can help households buy healthy foods and seeds. Formerly known as the food stamp program and federally known as SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), this program provides a monthly nutrition benefit which is used via an Electronic Benefit Transaction (EBT) card similar to a debit card. Apply for CalFresh in SLO County.

GET IN-HOME SUPPORTIVE SERVICES
The County of San Luis Obispo Department of Social Services helps elders or dependent adults remain safely in their homes, through three public Adult Services programs: Adult Protective Services, In-Home Supportive Services and Public Authority. Review and apply for these services.

GET MEDICAL ASSISTANCE
Medi-Cal provides assistance with paying medical bills for those who are income and property eligible. There are many different Medi-Cal programs for varied groups of individuals, from infants to the aged population. There are different requirements for each of these programs, differences can include income levels, property/resource limits and household composition. If there is no eligibility to Medi-Cal there is also assistance in applying for Covered California the market place for Affordable Health Care Insurance plans. Review the County's Public Medical Resources.

GET MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT SERVICES
The County's Behavioral Health Department provides in-person and walk-in care for adult mental health services. If you need to begin Behavioral Health services, please call the access line at (800) 838-1381. If you are in crisis, please call the Central Coast Hotline at (800) 783-0607. You may also call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or text HELLO to ‘741-741’. Review all County Mental Health Services for Adults.

GET DRUG AND ALCOHOL TREATMENT SERVICES
The County of San Luis Obispo offers a variety of public services and programs to help people in San Luis Obispo who have drug and alcohol problems. Services include walk-in clinics, outpatient treatment, and court-mandated programs. Review all County Drug & Alcohol Services.

OTHER PREVENTION SERVICES
The County Behavioral Health Department's Prevention & Outreach Division combines universal, selective, and indicated prevention, and early intervention strategies, along with targeted outreach and treatment for difficult-to-serve, and underserved populations. Review the wide variety of prevention services offered by the County Behavioral Health Department.

For Unhoused or Unsheltered Community Members

Download our Homelessness Resources flyer available in English and Spanish.

SLO City 40 Prado Warming Center Information

San Luis Obispo Warming Center opens when daily low temp of 38 degrees Fahrenheit or chance of rain is 50% or greater. The SLO City Warming Center at 40 Prado opens under the following National Weather Service forecast conditions:

There is a daily low of 38 degrees Fahrenheit or lower, OR
There is a 50% or greater chance of rain.

Those needing shelter may arrive any time from 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. at 40 Prado Road; however, if someone leaves, they may not return that night.

All individuals will be provided a rapid COVID-19 test before entry and COVID-19 precautions are in place (HEPA Filters, social distancing, facility mask requirement). Service Animals are allowed inside, and secure kennels are provided for pets who are not vaccinated or registered as Service Animals. Smoking is permitted in the designated smoking area. Overnight guests will be provided a safe and warm place to sleep, a hot shower, and a hot meal. The Warming Center closes at 6 a.m.

Countywide Warming Center Information

Call 211 for current information on Warming Centers throughout San Luis Obispo County.

Text “SLOCountyWarm” to 211-211 to find out which warming center locations are open across SLO County.

Text your zip-code to 898211 for a specialist to send current Warming Center location hours and contact information.

SLO Hotline (800) 783-0607 is available 24 hours a day; it is a confidential mental health support, crisis, and suicide prevention telephone line that provides mental health resource information.

Please call service providers to verify hours of operation.

CELL PHONES/INTERNET

Free Cell Phones Obamaphone - 40 Prado Homeless Services Center (located outside) Fridays 12pm-4pm
Internet SLO Library, 995 Palm St. Tues & Weds 10am-6pm, Thurs & Sat 9am-5pm, Fri 1pm-5pm

DISABILITY ASSISTANCE

Access Central Coast Center for Disability Services (805) 462-1162. 51 Zaca Lane #140, SLO.

EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE

211 SLO County Information Dial 2-1-1 (24 hrs.)
SLO Hotline (T-MHA) (800) 783-0607 (24 hrs. Crisis assistance). Confidential and free.
Community Action Team (CAT) A Community Resources and Services Specialist paired with a City of SLO Police Officer respond to calls involving mental health issues and clients in crisis. Please call non-emergency dispatch (805) 781-7312 to request the CAT team (Mon-Fri 8am-5pm)

FOOD

Food Bank of San Luis Obispo (805) 238-4664. Call for food distribution and meal sites across County.

GENERAL ASSISTANCE & SERVICES

5Cities Homeless Coalition (805) 574-1638. Located at 100 S. 4^th Street, Grover Beach.
Rental assistance, case management, youth case management (age 16-24), warming center (seasonal)
Family Care Network (805) 781-3535. 1255 Kendall Rd., San Luis Obispo.
Behavioral health services, education support services, family support services, housing support services.
SLO County Dept. of Social Services (805) 781-1600. 3433 S. Higuera, SLO.

JOBS AND EMPLOYMENT

SLOCal Careers Center (805) 439-2557. 3450 Broad St, Suite 103A, SLO.

MEDICAL SERVICES

Community Health Centers of the Central Coast (805) 361-8400
SLO County Public Health Department (805) 781-5500. 2191 Johnson Ave., San Luis Obispo.
Mobile Reproductive Health Clinic
The Center for Health & Prevention (805) 544-2498 ext 21. Family planning services and reproductive/sexual health services

MENTAL HEALTH, DRUG, & ALCOHOL SERVICES

Drug and Alcohol Services 2180 Johnson Ave, SLO (805) 781-4275. For emergency referrals 24/7 (800) 383-1381
Transitions-Mental Health Association (805) 540-6500. 784 High St., San Luis Obispo.
Mobile Crisis Unit (MCU) Provides crisis support services to individuals suffering from non-emergency behavioral/mental health challenges & alcohol or drug use disorders as well as resource navigation and referrals. Please call (805) 550-7270 or contact non-emergency dispatch (805) 781-7312 to request MCU assistance

SAFE PARKING

40 Prado Safe Parking Program 40 Prado Rd., San Luis Obispo. Call to check availability. Secure lot, restroom facility, and access to 40 Prado day services.

SHELTER SERVICES

40 Prado Homeless Services Center (805) 544-4004. 40 Prado Rd., San Luis Obispo.
Day Services: Showers, meals provided by People’s Kitchen of San Luis Obispo, laundry, phone, case management, warming center (seasonal)
Evening Services: Male/Female dormitory beds, family beds, and recuperative care patient beds. Call ahead to confirm availability.
ECHO-El Camino Homeless Organization (805) 462-3663. 6370 Atascadero Ave.
Call ahead for shelter bed inquiries. Dinner, showers, and clothing.

SHOWERS

Shower the People Check website for times and locations. Hot showers, soap, shampoo, toiletries, clean towels, washcloths, socks, and underwear

TRANSPORTATION

Countywide Transportation Information Dial 5-1-1 (24/7). Asistencia en español disponible.
Ride-On (805) 541-8747. Call for general transportation services.

For Property Owners

Trespassing Assistance

Give SLOPD Permission to Enter Your Property (602 Penal Code Form)

Have you filled out a 602 P.C. Form? This form or document allows SLOPD to respond to trespassing on your private property regardless of whether a specific request has been made. This form remains active for 12 months once filed. Please call the SLOPD’s non-emergency line at (805) 781-7312 to confirm that they have an active 602 P.C. form on file for your property. If you do not have a 602 P.C. form on file, you will need to call SLOPD to enforce against each instance of trespassing.

FILL OUT THE FORM

Landlord Incentives - Housing the Homeless

Landlords of rental properties can help our most vulnerable population with HASLO's Welcome Home Program. This program is designed to help our unhoused community members get back on their feet and help those who are most at risk of becoming homeless.

This program provides landlords with a guaranteed portion of rent and several cash incentives, including a one-time $4,000 bonus for new landlords participating in the Section 8 voucher program, a $1,000 bonus for existing Section 8 landlords who choose to become a Welcome Home voucher holder, and a Welcome Back $2,500 bonus for landlords who left Section 8 program and decide to return. More information can be found on HASLO's website. Interested landlords may also call HASLO's dedicated Welcome Home Program line at (805) 594-5358 and receive a call back in 24 hours.

A grey icon of a multi-story housing complex with green trees in front of it.

What We're Doing

At a high-level, here’s what we’re currently doing to prevent and address homelessness:

1. We’re focused on expanding interim, permanent supportive, affordable, and workforce housing in the City of SLO, in partnership with the County and local housing service providers.

2. We are working directly with local homeless service providers and the County to coordinate our outreach, communications, and pilot program efforts to prevent and address homelessness.

3. We have outreach staff with our Community Action Team, Mobile Crisis Unit, and Community Service Officers who connect unhoused community members with mental health, drug and alcohol, and housing services available through the County and local service providers.