Human Services Grant

Font Size: + -

Feedback Print

CLICK HERE FOR THE 2026-27 HUMAN SERVICES GRANT APPLICATION (now closed)

Applications closed on February 24th

The City of San Luis Obispo Human Relations Commission (HRC) Human Services Grant (HSG) Program provides financial support to non-profit organizations that promote the economic and social well-being of its citizens.

Nonprofits interested in applying are required to review the recording of or attend in person or virtually an upcoming Human Services Grant Information Session, where City staff will provide an overview of the updated funding framework, key changes from previous cycles, eligibility requirements, and application period timelines.

Interested organizations only need to attend or review the recorded version of one of the two sessions provided below and attest to that in their application. In-person or virtual attendance is highly recommended, as this funding cycle includes important updates that may affect how proposals are evaluated and staff will be able to answer your questions during the session. If you are unable to attend, however, the recording will be posted below following the second session.

Human Services Grant Information Sessions

IN PERSON SESSION
Date: Tuesday, January 13, 2026
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.

VIRTUAL SESSION (view recording below)
Date: Thursday, January 15, 2026
Time: 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

If you did not attend the virtual or in-person information sessions, you must review the video below to be eligible for the grant, even if you have applied in the past. An information session in Spanish can be provided upon request by emailing dei@slocity.org.

Information Session Slide Deck can be found here.

Technical Assistance Office Hours were offered between 1pm and 4pm on February 4, 2026.

Please contact the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at dei@slocity.org or (805) 781-7073 with questions.

Funding Priorities

Main Funding Priority:

For the 2026-27 Fiscal Year, the main funding priority for the City of San Luis Obispo will be preventing and addressing homelessness. More specifically, the City will prioritize funding services that do the following (not listed in order of importance):

Provide permanent housing solutions that can prevent homelessness or serve those experiencing homelessness
Provide homelessness prevention activities that can prevent homelessness or serve those experiencing homelessness
Provide interim housing solutions that can prevent homelessness or serve those experiencing homelessness
Provide non-housing solutions that can prevent homelessness or serve those experiencing homelessness

Category 1: Permanent Housing Solutions

Eligible Use Category	Examples
Rapid Rehousing/Rental Subsidies	Rental subsidies; landlord incentives (such as security deposits, holding fees, funding for needed repairs, landlord relationship management costs); and move-in expenses.
Operating Subsidies for Permanent Housing	Operating subsidies in new and existing affordable or supportive housing units serving people experiencing or at risk of homelessness, new or existing residential care facilities.
Permanent Housing Services and Services Coordination	Supportive services for people in Permanent Housing, including, but not limited to, intensive case management; coordination of mental health, substance use, or primary care treatment; other evidence-based supportive services.

Category 2: Homelessness Prevention Activities

Eligible Use Category	Examples
Prevention and Diversion	In addition to rapid rehousing and rental subsidies, prevention programs that prioritize households with incomes at or below 30% AMI; problem solving and diversion support programs that prevent people at risk or recently experiencing homelessness from entering homelessness (such as legal aid).

Category 3: Interim Housing Solutions

Eligible Use Category	Examples
Interim Housing/Motel or Hotel Vouchers	Operating expenses for congregate and non-congregate shelters, emergency shelters, and transitional housing; vouchers for motels or hotels for short-term stays for people experiencing homelessness.
Interim Housing Services and Services Coordination	Supportive services for people in Interim Housing, including, but not limited to, intensive case management; housing navigation; coordination of mental health, substance use, or primary care treatment; other evidence-based supportive services.

Category 4: Non-Housing Solutions

Eligible Use Category	Examples
Services and services coordination	Street outreach; engagement services; case management; housing navigation; hygiene services; harm reduction services; etc.
Operating or administrative costs for organization	Includes costs incurred to administer homeless services to City residents, such as salaries, office supplies, rent, etc.

Secondary Funding Priorities:

The following secondary funding priority areas are not listed in order of importance and may not receive funding:

Hunger and malnutrition prevention
Supportive physical and mental health services for those in need
Services for seniors, veterans, and/or people with disabilities in need
Supportive, developmental, and care services for children and youth in need
Services encouraging diversity, equity, and inclusivity in marginalized communities, including access to language services

The Human Relations Commission will first fund all qualified applications that meet the main funding priority. After qualified main priority applications are funded, the HRC will consider applications for the secondary funding priorities.

Funding Requirements

1	Applicants must submit a complete application package within the deadline.
	One-page statement that includes: Applicant’s understanding and application of concepts/values related to access and belonging An explanation of how the proposal will advance access and belonging in the City of San Luis Obispo One-page detailed budget for the proposal including how the total amount requested will be allocated Organizational chart Document certifying 501(c)(3) Federal Tax-Exempt Status
2	Applications must be submitted through the online portal. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
3	Grant recipients must comply with the HRC Bylaws which are to create an environment within the City in which all persons can enjoy equal rights and opportunities regardless of race, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, or disability. HRC Bylaws can be found on the City’s website HERE.
4	Grant recipients must enter into a contract with the City prior to receipt of HSG funds. Contract template can be found HERE.
5	Grant recipients must complete periodic reports and provide them on a timely basis. Reports must be submitted using the online form found HERE.
6	Grant recipients must submit a final report at the end of the project/service or at 12 months from start, whichever comes first. Grant recipients are expected to return unused funds.
7	Grant-funded programs must be available to all City residents, without regard to the resident’s race, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, or disability.
8	Grant recipients must adhere to the following definitions when designing grant applications: People literally experiencing homelessness or at imminent risk of homelessness are defined under 24 CFR Section 578.3. Supportive services are defined under 24 CFR Section 578.53.

Funding Applicants Criteria

1	Grants are made only to 501(c)(3) organizations. Organizations without this status will need to partner with a 501(c)(3) as the lead applicant.
2	*100%of the funded activities must occur* in the City of San Luis Obispo.
3	Funded activities *must primarily serve* City residents. Applicants that provide services to neighboring communities, but also serve a significant number of City residents, will be considered.
4	Organizations that received previous HSG funding must be in good standing and have complied with all reporting requirements.

Additional Funding Information

1	Applicants may submit a minimum request of $5,000 and a maximum request of $20,000. If applying in a partnership, the maximum request amount will be $40,000.
2	A maximum of one (1) grant award is allowed per organization (or per partnership if a collaborative project).
3	If applying in a partnership, a lead organization must be identified in the application. The lead organization must be an eligible entity and must act as the fiscal agent. All parties must enter into the contract.
4	Projects, programs, concepts, and initiatives that leverage existing or other funding sources to supplement proposal are highly encouraged.
5	Consideration may be provided to proposals who have matching grants secured.
6	Consideration may be provided to projects/programs that have low overhead and administrative costs.

Prohibited Use of Funds

1	Funds CANNOT be used for advancing, campaigning, advocating, promoting, or highlighting political entities, ballot measures/initiatives, or candidates.
2	Funds CANNOT be used for advancing, advocating, promoting, or highlighting religious causes, entities, individuals, or activities. Funding CANNOT be used for the purpose of disseminating religious information in any form.
3	Funds CANNOT be used for profit or personal gain.
4	Funds CANNOT be used for the payment of City fees, permits, or fines.
5	Funds CANNOT be used for personal expenses not directly related to the approved project.
6	Funds CANNOT be used for payments in the form of stipends, honoraria, or similar direct payments to individuals.

Funding Decisions

The Human Relations Commission (HRC) will exercise discretion when developing funding recommendations.

The HRC will review, with support from the Office of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion, all applications (that are completed, timely submitted, and meet the funding criteria) and develop funding recommendations based on the answers and attestations provided in each application, with guidance and direction from City Council. Please be as specific and detailed in your applications as possible. Recommendations will be presented to the City Council for approval. Final funding decisions are at the sole discretion of the City Council. Grants are awarded by available funding for current grant cycle. Previous grant awards do not guarantee continued funding. This is a competitive grant process.

The HRC encourages organizations to take innovative, creative approaches to solving the most prevalent health & human service needs in our community!

Funding Timeline

Current Timeline (Subject to Change)

January 13, 2026 at 9am – Morning Information Session (English; Spanish is by request)

January 15, 2026 at 4pm – Afternoon Information Session (English; Spanish by request)

January 20, 2026 – Application Opens

February 4, 2026 between 1pm and 4pm – Technical Assistance Hours (can email to reserve a slot)

February 24, 2026 – Application Closes

April 1, 2026 – Public Hearing and HRC Decision on Funding Recommendations

May 5, 2026 – City Council Final Funding Decisions

May/June 2026 – Contracts Routed

July 2026 – Funds Disbursed

Questions? Contact the Office of Diversity Equity & Inclusion at dei@slocity.org

Resources:

Human Services Grant (HSG) Grant Contract Template (grant awardees will sign this contract)

Sample Budget

HRC Bylaws

Supplemental Information and Definitions (applicants should review and be aware of HUD definitions)

City of San Luis Obispo, CA

FIND A SERVICE

I WANT TO...

Human Services Grant

Human Services Grant Information Sessions

Current Timeline (Subject to Change)

Resources: