With Californians facing a new wave of economic disruptions due to COVID-19, San Luis Obispo County officials and social service providers are increasingly concerned about a substantial rise in local homelessness in the near and long terms.
Janna Nichols, executive director of the 5 Cities Homeless Coalition, told New Times that calls for service at her South County nonprofit are already up 50 percent. And while there’s a current freeze on evictions statewide until at least Sept. 30, tenants are still on the hook for back rent and many could face eviction as soon as it’s allowed again.
“Even though there’s a moratorium currently on landlords being able to take action for eviction, it does not prevent them from noticing their tenants, nor does it relieve their long-term responsibility to pay rent,” Nichols said.
The recent surge in COVID-19 cases and business closures has only heightened concern among community leaders that many SLO County residents are at risk of falling into homelessness sooner or later.
“The impacts of COVID have created a looming problem … of potential evictions as folks have lost employment, particularly as we are going in reverse and seeing more shutdowns of different business activities,” SLO County 2nd District Supervisor Bruce Gibson said at the July 14 Board of Supervisors meeting.
County supervisors discussed these concerns on July 14 as they decided how to allocate $5.2 million in state housing funds to local initiatives over the next five years. The state funds, generated by a $75 real estate transaction fee and distributed to counties, can go toward home ownership programs, affordable housing projects, and homeless prevention services.
The Board of Supervisors agreed in a 4-0 vote on July 14 to send more of the funds than it’d initially planned to toward homeless services over the first three years. The policy tweak will give local organizations on the front lines of homelessness, such as the 5 Cities Homeless Coalition, about $1 million through 2021 to provide services.
“The more immediate problem is homelessness prevention,” Gibson said.
Nichols said that the funds won’t likely be available to recipients until October, and no specific nonprofits have been promised the money, but she said that generally the boost is sorely needed amid a crippling pandemic.
“[It’s] an ongoing source that no doubt will be needed,” she said. “There are going to be people falling into homelessness—we know this.” Δ
This article appears in Best of SLO County 2020.
How will individuals and families be rehoused?
What is the long tern plan from where this takes us all to a recovery?
For One thing ..all these cities within the county can open up some areas for us RV ers , and those living in Vans, etc to stay long term !! Shelters are not the answer for most people. Separation and privacy has proved to be safer and healthier. Its easy enough , and not very costly to set up a couple of porta pottys..portable showers..trash bins…etc. Pay a couple of security guards to help maintain co operation.. So there’s no theft, harassment , and allowing all for a good nights sleep. Those that can financially contribute a bit, certainly would be glad to stop having to move all the time from street to street.. We need to keep at least one nice camp ground for supporting Our locals , not everything for the tourists
I’ve spoken with several Police officers and such..who will agree to this… But where are those caring individuals or city representatives to get on the ball with any effort..possibly contacting some land owners that have more than they need or maybe the projects are for way in the future ( whatever that might be ) They’d rather talk it down than even try…
Yet,there always seems to be plenty of room to build all the over sized un affordable. Houses here. Which will make life even more crowded..noisy.. And cause needs for more schools, law enforcement, and other services. and jobs…( Leading to a polluted Air there’s no escaping from. Yep, LA all the way to the top of the State some day.)