HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 5d - Approving the 2025-26 Human Services Grant Funding Recommendations Item 5d
Department: Administration
Cost Center: 1010
For Agenda of: 6/3/2025
Placement: Consent
Estimated Time: N/A
FROM: Greg Hermann, Deputy City Manager
Prepared By: Samantha Vethavanam, DEI Admin Specialist
SUBJECT: CONSIDERATION OF THE 2025-26 HUMAN SERVICES GRANT
FUNDING RECOMMENDATIONS
RECOMMENDATION
1. As recommended by the Human Relations Commission, approve the 2025 -26 Human
Services Grant funding allocations in the amount of $150,000; and
2. Authorize the City Manager to execute agreements with each grant recipient.
POLICY CONTEXT
The purpose of the Human Relations Commission (HRC) is to advise and make
recommendations to City Council and the City Manager which promote and advance
inclusion, mutual understanding, respect, and equitable treatment to all San Luis Obispo
community members. Recommendations made by the HRC to City Council help address
social concerns and the needs of the community, including recommendations for funding
for the Human Services Grant (HSG) program. The HSG provides financial support to
non-profit organizations that promote the economic and social well-being of the residents
of San Luis Obispo.
DISCUSSION
Background
The City’s Human Services Grants (HSG) was originally discussed and approved by City
Council on November 14, 1973, through a study session providing authority and
responsibility to the HRC for funding and contract recommendations for Council
consideration. The HSG program is fully funded by the City’s General Fund. The program
had a Council approved change of name from Grants-in-Aid to the Human Services Grant
in 2022 to better reflect the objectives of the program. The HSG program provides
financial support to non-profit organizations that promote the economic and social well-
being of the community members of San Luis Obispo. Grants are made to local
organizations or agencies whose services contribute to the quality of life of City residents.
The HRC advises the City Council on funding priorities and grant recommendations.
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Item 5d
Funding Priorities
On December 10, 2024, the Council reaffirmed the following as the main funding priority
for the HSG:
Homelessness prevention, including affordable, alternative, and transitional
housing, and supportive services.
Council also designated secondary funding priorities to allow maximum flexibility for
funding recommendations dependent upon the received applications. These priorities are
not listed in order of importance and may receive funding if available:
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 Office of Diversity, Equity, & and Inclusion (DEI) website and other messaging
regarding the 2025-26 HSG program noted that the HRC 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.
HSG Application Process
On January 20, 2025, the HRC formally launched its annual HSG process by advertising
the availability of grant funds and information regarding the upcoming HSG timeline to the
general public, past applicants, and agencies and groups from underserved and
underrepresented communities through the Office of DEI. HSG applications were due on
February 28, 2025. The City received grant applications from 27 agencies requesting
funding for programs totaling $419,942. Attachment A includes a complete list of the
applicants, including a summary of each project submitted to the City for HSG funding
and the HRC’s recommended funding amounts. All applications received can be found
on this webpage.
HRC Review Process
On March 17 and 19, 2025, the HSG Grant Review Subcommittee comprised of Vice
Chair Campos, Commissioner Smith, and Commissioner Ambrosio met to review grant
applications and make preliminary funding recommendations. The subcommittee
members considered the main funding priority set by Council, the location of the target
population to be served, the number of people to be served relative to the overal l request,
the agencies’ track record, and the incurred expenses proposed to be offset by HSG
dollars to guide their funding recommendations. On May 7, 2025, the HSG Grant Review
Subcommittee presented their preliminary funding recommendations to the full HRC
during a noticed public hearing. The public hearing was noticed via the New Times San
Luis Obispo newspaper and via email through the City’s e -notifications system. During
the discussion, the subcommittee engaged with other Commissioners to adjust the
preliminary recommendations and voted to approve the adjusted funding
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Item 5d
recommendations. HRC found that the projects recommended for funding further
Council’s adopted goals to address community needs and promote the economic social
well-being of San Luis Obispo community members.
Grant Contracts
Upon Council approval of the HSG funding recommendations, the City will enter into a
contract with each organization that has been awarded grant funding. Organizations
awarded grant funding will be required to provide a mid-year and year-end report
describing administrative functions, metrics and outcomes, and use of funds related to
the application for each grant program. Reports are reviewed by City staff and the HRC
for completeness and compliance.
Public Engagement
The public, and more specifically non-profit service organizations, were engaged
throughout the HSG award process. Non-profit service organizations received
communication of available funding, a packet of information provided in English and
Spanish was available on the Office of DEI website, and office hours and other support
was offered during the application period. Grant applicants were also informed via email
about the May 7, 2025 HRC public hearing one month in advance, two weeks in advance,
and one week in advance. This item is on the consent agenda for the June 3, 2025, City
Council meeting and will follow all required posting and notification. The public can submit
comments on this item at or before the meeting.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The California Environmental Quality Act does not apply to the recommended action in
this report, because the action does not constitute a “Project” under CEQA Guidelines
Sec. 15378, as the grant funding disbursements will not result in either a direct physical
change in the environment or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the
environment. Specific projects funded by the grants may be subject to environmental
review or exemption therefrom.
FISCAL IMPACT
Budget: Yes Budget Year: 2025-26
Funding Identified: Yes
Fiscal Analysis:
Funding
Sources
Total Budget
Available
Current
Funding Request
Remaining
Balance
Annual
Ongoing Cost
General Fund $150,000 $150,000 $0 $
State
Federal
Fees
Other
Total $150,000 $150,000 $0 $
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Item 5d
The draft 2025-26 budget presented Council on April 15, 2025 included $150,000 for the
HSG programand no changes will be recommended with the final budget . HSG projects
will be implemented for a period of one year starting at the beginning of the 2025 -26 Fiscal
Year.
ALTERNATIVES
1. The Council could decide to revise and adopt different funding
recommendations. If Council decides to revise and adopt different funding
recommendations, Council will need to pull the item from consent, deliberate, and vote
on new final funding recommendations during the Council meeting.
2. The Council could decide to request that the HRC reconsider and recommend
different funding allocations. If Council decides not to approve the
recommendations and to request that the HRC consider different recommendations,
the HRC would need to hold a special meeting to reconvene and modify their original
recommendations. Council should also provide direction on the modifications desired
if they decide to go with this option. This may delay prospective grant recipients’
implementation of projects recommended for funding in the FY25-26 grant cycle.
ATTACHMENTS
A – 2025-26 HRC Human Services Grant Preliminary Funding Recommendations
B – May 7, 2025 HRC Meeting Minutes
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# Organization Project/Program
Name Description of Project/Program Requested
Amount
Recommended
Amount
1 5 Cities Homeless
Coalition
Homeless Prevention
Assistance
This program will provide homelessness prevention
housing stabilization services using time-limited financial
assistance to help people remain in housing or be re-
housed. It will also provide targeted supportive services
to identify and address barriers to stable housing. Funds
will be used for rental assistance, staff, and stabilization
fees.
$20,000 $0
2
Big Brothers & Big
Sisters of SLO
County
SLO Bigs Community
Mentorship Program
This program will match youth ages 7 to 17, who face
academic struggles or social difficulties, with adult
volunteers who share common interests. Bigs commit to
spending 6-8 hours per month with their Little, engaging
in activities that build relationships and foster growth.
Funds will be used to support matches including
recruitment and community engagement, enrollment,
introductions, support, and operating costs.
$20,000 $0
3
Community Action
Partnership of
SLO County
(CAPSLO)
Homeless
Prevention/Stable
Housing Program
This program will provide emergency financial assistance
to City of SLO households that are at risk of being
evicted and need assistance with a rental payment, or
who need financial assistance to secure housing. The
program will also provide case management for 6
months. Funds will be used for financial assistance
payments and some indirect expenses.
$20,000 $20,000
4 City Farm
Expansion of
Therapeutic
Horticulture
Programming for
Students with
Disabilities
This project will expand City Farms' existing Therapeutic
Horticulture Program to provide over 850 hours of
instruction to more than 50 children and adults with
disabilities in SLO County. Adults will have access to on-
farm programming and will allow for additional weekly
sessions. Funds will be used to support two farm
instructors.
$15,000 $0
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5
Community
Counseling Center
(CCC)
Inner Abode:
Addressing the Mental
Health Counseling
Needs of the
Unhoused in San Luis
Obispo
This project will increase and enhance CCC's presence
at 40 Prado Homeless Shelter by increasing hours of
service and access to bilingual/bicultural therapists, as
well as providing clinical training for CAPSLO and CCC
staff working with the unhoused population. This includes
motivational interviewing, trauma informed care, etc.
Funding will also subsidize CCC's ongoing, no cost in
person counseling for the unhoused, support for
unhoused students, and unhoused families. Funds will
be used to support a bilingual clinical supervisor and a
bilingual homeless services mental health clinical
counselor.
$7,500 $0
6 Family Care
Network, Inc.
TAY Estelita Housing
Project
This project will provide improvements for safe and
stable housing for former foster youth ages 18-24. The
project needs additional improvements to meet the
youth's needs, such as improving the existing
picnic/outdoor area, adding a retaining wall, and
improving the front walkway. Funds will be used for
property frontage improvements, expanding the picnic
area and adding a bike rack, landscaping, and removing
storage units.
$20,000 $0
7 Housing Authority
of SLO (HASLO)
Housing Stability with
Supportive Services
This program will provide transitional housing support to
individuals transitioning out of homelessness and to
prevent homelessness. It will provide funding for
essential items and other costs and provide tools to
maintain housing, including case management. This
program will also provide hunger and malnutrition
assistance to low-income individuals facing food
insecurity. It will also provide transportation assistance to
residents who are medically vulnerable. Funds will be
used for transitional housing, food, and transportation.
$20,000 $15,000
8 Hospice of SLO
County Caregiver Support
This program will provide a variety of services for home
caregivers. This can include providing a temporary
break, emotional support and companionship,
housekeeping assistance, meal preparation, or resource
connection. Volunteers will provide these services up to
4 hours per week. Funds will be used to offset the cost of
the Volunteer Services Manager's salary.
$10,000 $0
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9
Independent
Living Resource
Center
Community Living and
Transition Services for
People with
Disabilities
This program will provide comprehensive community
living support services to individuals of all ages and
income levels with disabilities, ensuring they have the
resources and skills to live independently. This program
will offer housing assistance, assistive technology
access, benefits advisement, and personal assistance
coordination, among others. Funds will be used to
partially cover occupancy expenses, allowing redirection
of additional resources to staff salaries and to reduce
administrative burden.
$20,000 $0
10 Kesem Cal Poly
SLO
Camp Kesem at Cal
Poly
This program will be an overnight summer camp that is
led by a team of volunteer college students for children
ages 6-18 who are impacted by a parent or primary
caregiver’s cancer. The camp will be one weeklong and
host 45 campers in July.
$5,000 $0
11 Literacy for Life Literacy Program
This program will teach non or low-literate adults to read,
write, and speak English. The program assesses each
learner’s literacy level and guides them to meet their
individual learning goals. Funds will be used in all
aspects of the program including for data management,
books, wages, and rent.
$10,000 $0
12
Long Term Care
Ombudsman
Services of SLO
County
Ombudsman Services
This program will provide advocacy, facility monitoring,
complaint investigation and resolution, information and
assistance, advanced healthcare directive witnessing for
skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), community education,
and systemic advocacy to residents of SNFs and
residential care facilities throughout SLO City and
County. The program is also committed to homelessness
prevention. Funds will be used to partially cover salaries
for staff.
$5,000 $5,000
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13 Lumina Alliance
Emergency Shelter
Program for Sexual
Assault and Intimate
Partner Violence
This program provides emergency shelter at two sites in
SLO County. The shelters are for survivors of sexual
assault and intimate partner violence. The shelters help
residents find permanent housing and provides services
such as a 24-hour crisis hotline, individual and group
therapy sessions, assistance filing temporary restraining
orders, case management, skills training, childcare,
financial assistance, and more. Funds will be used for
operating expenses including payroll, benefits, facility
expenses, and repair and maintenance expenses,
among others.
$20,000 $20,000
14 Meals that
Connect
Nutrition for Healthy
Seniors
This program will provide nutrition, social interaction, and
early intervention for seniors in SLO County. The
program delivers daily meals, offering wellness check-ins
and fostering social connection Funds will be used for
food costs, kitchen staff labor, supplies, transportation
costs, rent, and insurance.
$15,000 $5,000
15 Middle House
Early Recovery
Assistance to Alumni
Housing Portal
This program will provide 6 week stays at a Sober Living
Facility and provide direct financial assistance after
completing one year in the program. The funding will
help these individuals secure stable housing. The
programs also help individuals in recovery obtain
employment and create a portal for addicts experiencing
homelessness to become contributing members of
society. Funds will be used to support individuals in
recovery and to provide financial assistance after one
year.
$20,000 $0
16
Mixteco Indigena
Community
Organizing Project
(MICOP)
Housing/Wellness
Navigator Program
This program will provide direct housing support, eviction
prevention, and rental assistance for Indigenous migrant
families facing housing insecurity. Housing Navigators
will also assist families in accessing critical wraparound
services such as Medi-Cal, SSDI, CalFresh, and utility
relief. The Housing Navigators will also assist families in
securing and maintaining housing and educate tenants
on their rights. Funds will be used to support 1 FTE
Admin Assistant.
$20,000 $15,000
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17 People's Self-Help
Housing (PSHH)
City of SLO Supportive
Housing Program
This program will provide comprehensive homelessness
prevention services to residents in all PSHH properties
within SLO, which includes 73 units with an expansion to
217 units with the complete of Tiburon Place and Calle
Joaquin. Licensed social workers will deliver clinical case
management and address housing stability needs.
Funds will be used to deliver homelessness prevention
services, including through salaries, mileage, workshops,
meals, etc.
$20,000 $10,000
18 Restorative
Partners Opportunity to Fund
This program will support formerly incarcerated
individuals facing multiple challenges, including
homelessness, substance use recovery, and mental
health issues. Stable housing is prioritized, and the
program removes barriers to housing such as obtaining
documentation, providing rental assistance, and
supporting employment related needs. Funds will be
used to support the emergency needs of the individuals.
$10,000 $10,000
19 Shower the People Shower the People
This program will provide mobile shower services to
unhoused individuals 5 days a week, 3-4 hours per day
in four different locations. Guests are offered a 15-minute
hot shower which is cleaned and disinfected by
volunteers before the next guest. Shower guests also
receive a new t-shirt, new undergarments, new socks, a
toothbrush/toothpaste, comb, razor, and hand sanitizer.
Funds will go to support the programs continued
operation for one year.
$20,000 $20,000
20 SLO CASA General SLO CASA
Program Support
This project will allow volunteers from the community to
complete a training, so they are able to work with
children and families in crisis. Volunteers provide support
for children throughout the life of their child welfare case.
Funds will go to support part of the cost of rent for their
SLO office complex, which is a hub for staff and
volunteers to convene.
$20,000 $15,000
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21
SLO Child
Development
Resource Center
Child and Family Play
Therapy
This program will offer tailored, evidence-based
interventions to support children and families facing
poverty, trauma, and other adversities. The program
integrates mental health services with early education.
Funds will be used to expand services to serve 25
additional therapy clients by subsidizing therapy
sessions provided by an associate therapist and
providing 8 hours of training.
$10,000 $0
22
SLO Legal
Assistance
Foundation
Senior Homeless
Prevention
The program will provide homelessness prevention for
SLO City seniors through eviction prevention, eviction
defense, and assistance to residents in SNFs and
residential care facilities. Funds will be used for salaries,
insurance, operating expenses, program supplies, and
admin overhead.
$20,000 $10,000
23 SLO Noor
Foundation
City of San Luis
Obispo Care Project
This program will include a free mobile clinic and
established brick and mortar locations which provide free
medical, dental, vision, and mental health care to low-
income, uninsured, and underinsured SLO City
residents. Funds will go to support clinical support
staffing, laboratory diagnostics, and clinical supplies.
$20,000 $0
24 Smart Share
Housing Solutions
Senior Homeless
Prevention & Housing
Navigation
This program will work through multiple approaches:
providing inspiration, training, and one-on-one technical
assistance to help residents meet current and future
housing needs through four areas - continued
HomeSharing training and TA; accessory dwelling unit
(ADU) production support; mentoring; and incorporating
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) enhancements.
Funds will go to support community events, virtual e-
blasts, ADU and home visits, trainings, research,
advertising, technical support, and ADA planning.
$14,380 $0
25 Tolosa Children's
Dental
Tolosa Children's
Dental Center SLO
Office Expansion
This project will seek to expand care through four
initiatives: community outreach; targeted community
partnerships; additional dentists and support staff; and
expanded operations from one day to four days a week
in the SLO Office. Tolosa provides oral healthcare to
underserved and underinsured children. Funds will
support costs to hire a dentist and support staff.
$20,000 $0
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26 Transitions Mental
Health Association
Transportation
Solutions for
Transitional Housing
This project supports a 6-bedroom house with 12 clients
who are chronically homeless or at risk of homelessness.
The project will provide transportation options for the
residents to medical, behavioral health, employment, and
social appointments through the acquisition of 4 bicycles
for each house and monthly regional bus passes. Funds
will go to client expenses, insurance, and admin.
$13,062 $0
27 United Way of SLO
County
211 Homeless Intake
and Homeless
Prevention Screening
Services
This program will provide a dedicated homeless intake
and assessment initiative within the existing 211
program. This initiative will provide immediate support to
individuals facing homelessness and housing insecurity
by connecting them with local resources. The line is
available 24/7. Funds will go to creating the new line.
$5,000 $5,000
TOTAL $419,942 $150,000
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1
Human Relations Commission Minutes
May 7, 2025, 5:00 p.m.
Council Hearing Room, 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo
Human Relations
Commissioners Present:
Commissioner Mason Ambrosio (arrived at 5:09pm),
Commissioner Vincent DeTurris, Commissioner Esmeralda
Parker, Commissioner Sierra Smith, Chair Angie Kasprzak
Human Relations
Commissioners Absent:
Commissioner Stephanie Carlotti, Vice Chair Catuih Campos
City Staff Present: Deputy City Manager Greg Hermann, DEI Administrative
Specialist Samantha Vethavanam
_____________________________________________________________________
1. CALL TO ORDER
A Regular Meeting of the San Luis Obispo Human Relations Commission was
called to order on May 7, 2025 at 5:06 p.m. in the Council Hearing Room at City
Hall, 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo, by Chair Kasprzak.
2. PUBLIC COMMENT FOR ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA
Public Comment:
None
--End of Public Comment--
3. CONSENT
3.a CONSIDERATION OF MINUTES - APRIL 2, 2025 HUMAN RELATIONS
COMMISSION MINUTES
Motion By Commissioner Smith
Second By Commissioner Parker
To approve the Human Relations Commission Minutes of April 2, 2025.
Ayes (4): Commissioner DeTurris, Commissioner Parker, Commissioner
Smith, and Chair Kasprzak
Absent (3): Commissioner Ambrosio, Commissioner Carlotti, and Vice
Chair Campos
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2
CARRIED (4 to 0)
Commissioner Ambrosio joined the meeting at 5:09pm.
4. BUSINESS ITEMS
4.a HOMELESSNESS RESPONSE AND STRATEGIC PLAN OVERVIEW
AND UPDATE
Homelessness Response Manager Daisy Wiberg presented the staff
report and responded to Commission inquiries.
Chair Kasprzak opened Public Comment
Public Comment:
None
--End of Public Comment--
5. PUBLIC HEARINGS
5.a REVIEW 2025-26 HUMAN SERVICES GRANT SUBCOMMITTEE
RECOMMENDATIONS AND PROVIDE A RECOMMENDATION TO
COUNCIL FOR APPROVAL
DEI Admin Specialist Samantha Vethavanam presented the staff report
and responded to Commission inquiries.
Chair Kasprzak opened Public Comment
Public Comment:
Jerry Mihaic
Jack Lahey
Sister Theresa Harpin
Brandee Puitt
Dianna Vojaw
Marina Bernheimer
Gary Petersen
Ana Huynh
Jason Main
Devon McQuade
Jane Connely
Greta Burk
Jessica Yacoub
Elaina Smolen
Laura Edwards
--End of Public Comment--
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3
Motion By Commissioner Parker
Second By Commissioner DeTurris
To provide the following funding recommendations to City Council for the
2025-26 Human Services Grants:
1. Community Action Partnership of San Luis Obispo County
(CAPSLO) – Homeless Prevention/Stable Housing Program: $20,000
2. Housing Authority of the City of San Luis Obispo (HASLO) –
Housing Stability with Supportive Services: $15,000
3. Long Term Care Ombudsman Services of SLO County –
Ombudsman Services: $5,000
4. Lumina Alliance – Emergency Shelter Program for Sexual Assault and
Intimate Partner Violence: $20,000
5. Meals that Connect – Nutrition for Healthy Seniors: $5,000
6. Mixteco Indigena Community Organizing Project (MICOP) –
Housing/Wellness Navigator Program: $15,000
7. People’s Self-Help Housing (PSHH) – City of SLO Housing Program:
$10,000
8. Restorative Partners – Opportunity to Fund: $10,000
9. Shower the People – Shower Program: $20,000
10. SLO CASA – General SLO CASA Program Support: $15,000
11. SLO Legal Assistance Foundation (SLOLAF) – Senior Homeless
Prevention: $10,000
12. United Way of SLO County – 211 Homeless Intake and Homeless
Prevention Screening Services: $5,000
Ayes (4): Commissioner Ambrosio, Commissioner DeTurris,
Commissioner Parker, and Commissioner Smith
Noes (1): Chair Kasprzak
Absent (2): Commissioner Carlotti, and Vice Chair Campos
CARRIED (4 to 1)
6. COMMENT AND DISCUSSION
6.a STAFF & COMMISSIONER UPDATES AND AGENDA FORECAST
Deputy City Manager Greg Hermann and DEI Admin Specialist Sam
Vethavanam provided the following update of upcoming projects:
• New DEI Manager, Matt Pennon, will be starting on May 8th.
• DEI High Impact Grant discussions will start at the June HRC
meeting.
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4
• Staff from the Police Department (PD), Economic Development &
Tourism, and Sustainability & Natural Resources will also provide
updates at the June HRC Meeting.
• DEI and PD will have a booth at Pride in the Plaza on Saturday
May 31st.
• An upcoming Mixteco Cultural Competency Zoom training will be
taking place Thursday, May 8th.
• The Construction Board of Appeals Meeting was held on May 6th,
which upheld the City Building Official’s determination of code
violations at 1150 Laurel Lane.
Commissioner DeTurris requested that the July 2, 2025 meeting be moved
to July 9, 2025.
Motion By Commissioner DeTurris
Second By Commissioner Smith
Action Taken: By consensus, the Commission moved the July 2, 2025
Human Relations Commission meeting to July 9, 2025.
CARRIED (5-0)
Chair Kasprzak provided updates on the following events:
• SLO Climate Coalition events
• Diversity Coalition events
• RACE Matter Brunch and Film Fest
• Mujeres de Accion Coffee event
• Bike month events
• Tiny House Tours at Waterman Village
• Pride Season
Commissioner Smith shared that the July HRC Meeting will be her last.
Homeless Response Manager Daisy Wiberg shared the following updates:
• 40 Prado is hosting a resource fair on June 4th
• Welcome Home Village groundbreaking sometime in June
7. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 7:34 p.m. The next Regular Meeting of the Human
Relations Commission is scheduled for June 4, 2025 at 5:00 p.m. in the Council
Hearing Room at City Hall, 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo.
_________________________
APPROVED BY HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION: XX/XX/202X
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