HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 7c- SLO County Regional Homelessness and Affordable Housing Compact Item 7c
Department: Community Development
Cost Center: 4008
For Agenda of: 3/17/2026
Placement: Public Hearing
Estimated Time: 60 minutes
FROM: Timmi Tway, Community Development Director
Prepared By: Daisy Wiberg, Homelessness Response Manager
SUBJECT: SLO COUNTY REGIONAL HOMELESSNESS AND AFFORDABLE
HOUSING COMPACT AND REGIONAL HOMELESS SERVICES
INVENTORY
RECOMMENDATION
1. Adopt a Draft Resolution entitled, “Approving the San Luis Obispo County Regional
Homelessness and Affordable Housing Compact,”; and
2. Receive and comment on a report and presentation from the County of San Luis
Obispo’s Homeless Services Division on the Regional Compact and a Regional
Homeless Services Inventory.
POLICY CONTEXT
The City’s 2025-27 Financial Plan Major City Goal for Homelessness Response includes
the following workplan item, which directed staff to collaborate with the County on the
Regional Compact and Homeless Services Inventory:
Item 1e
Regional Compact – Work with SLO County jurisdictions to develop and execute
regional MOU to clearly outline jurisdictional responsibilities to prevent and
address homelessness, create accountability measures, and ensure equitable
resource allocations.
The City’s 2024-26 Homelessness Response Strategic Plan includes the following goal
and corresponding objective for regional collaboration, which align with the Regional
Compact and Homeless Services Inventory:
Regional Collaboration and Engagement Goal: Collaborate with the County to
engage regional partners in efforts to improve the effective use of resources and
promote proven best practices.
o Objective 1: Work collaboratively with the County’s Homeless Services
Division to establish and support regional priorities, equitable and
transparent allocation of resources, and to implement strategies in
alignment with shared regional goals.
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Item 7c
The City’s 6th Cycle General Plan Housing Element includes several policies and
programs related to the reduction of homelessness with specific goals related to the
Regional Compact and Homeless Services Inventory listed below:
Goal 1: Safety – Provide safe, decent shelter for all residents.
o Program 1.7 – “Continue to support local and regional solutions to
homelessness by funding supportive programs, services and housing
solutions.”
Goal 8: Special Housing Needs – Encourage the creation and maintenance of
housing for those with special housing needs.
o Policy 8.1 – “Encourage housing development that meets a variety of
special needs, including large families, single paren ts, disabled persons,
the elderly, students, veterans, farmworkers, the homeless, or those
seeking congregate care, group housing, single-room occupancy, or co-
housing accommodations, utilizing universal design.”
o Policy 8.8 – “Continue to support regional efforts to address homelessness.”
o Policy 8.10 – “Assist the homeless and those at risk of homelessness by
supporting shelters, temporary housing, and transitional housing.”
o Program 8.11 – “Continue to provide resources that support local and
regional solutions to meet the needs of the homeless and continue to
support, jointly with other agencies, shelters and programs, such as
Housing First and Rapid Rehousing, for the homeless and for displaced
individuals and families.”
o Program 8.21 – “Continue to coordinate monthly with the County
Department of Social Services, Homeless Services Oversight Council
(HSOC), social service providers, and non-profit organizations to identify,
evaluate, and implement strategies to reduce the impacts of homelessness
on the City.”
DISCUSSION
Background
Regional Homelessness and Affordable Housing Compact
San Luis Obispo County (County) has a stated commitment to addressing homelessness,
beginning with the Ten-Year Plan to End Homelessness in 2008 and continuing with the
“San Luis Obispo Countywide Plan to Address Homelessness 2022-2027” (Five Year
Plan), adopted in 2022. The Five-Year Plan emphasizes a collaborative, system-wide
approach involving County departments, cities, and community partners to create a
seamless, adequately resourced system that minimizes barriers for those seeking
services. Achieving these goals requires coordinated efforts across sectors and sustained
investment.
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Item 7c
The Five-Year Plan established six lines of effort as a roadmap for reducing
homelessness.
1. Expand Housing Options: Create affordable housing and shelter opportunities
for underserved populations.
2. Reduce Barriers to Stability: Strengthen prevention, diversion, supportive
services, and housing navigation.
3. Improve Data Systems: Enhance the Homeless Managem ent Information
System (HMIS) and Coordinated Entry for data-driven decision-making.
4. Streamline Funding: Identify and align resources to maximize impact.
5. Strengthen Regional Collaboration: Foster partnerships across jurisdictions and
sectors.
6. Build Public Engagement: Increase transparency and community involvement
through outreach and information sharing
As part of Line of Effort #5, County Homeless Services Division staff, in collaboration with
the County’s Executive Office, worked closely with a steering committee comprised of
City Managers from Atascadero, San Luis Obispo, and Grover Beach to develop a
Regional Homelessness and Affordable Housing Compact (Compact). The Compact
recognizes the complexity of addressing homelessness in San Luis O bispo County and
sets forth a voluntary, collaborative framework through which participating jurisdictions
commit to shared principles to guide individual and collective actions. All seven
incorporated cities are pursuing approval of this compact with their elected officials, with
the goal of holding a signing ceremony once all jurisdictions have approved the document.
The Compact aligns with the City’s Major City Goal for Homelessness Response and the
City’s Homelessness Response Strategic Plan, both of which emphasize regional
collaboration as a key strategy. Adoption of the Compact represents a continuation and
formalization of ongoing interjurisdictional efforts, providing a clear framework to guide
coordinated action while preserving local authority and policy discretion.
The shared commitments outlined in the Compact include:
1. Treat all people with dignity
2. Strengthen regional collaboration
3. Expand housing and services
4. Share responsibility and resources
5. Promote transparency and accountability
6. Foster community well-being and safety
Regional Homeless Services Inventory
In addition to the Compact, County Homeless Services Division staff prepared a Regional
Homeless Services Inventory (Attachment C), which is intended to convey the homeless
services investments, commitments, and services being provided by each jurisdiction.
The inventory report was informed by a homeless services survey facilitated by the
County Homeless Services Division staff. Each jurisdiction had the opportunity to provide
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Item 7c
feedback on their respective efforts to address homelessness through the survey.
The Homeless Services Inventory is organized into four sections:
Strategic Planning & Coordination activities
Funding contributions from each entity across the homeless services continuum,
followed by a chart of funding sources
Land use and planning activities
Direct services provided by each entity, either specifically designed for individuals
experiencing homelessness or with significant utilization by this population
The Compact and Homeless Services Inventory are being presented to the County Board
of Supervisors (Board) and each City Council for approval. The Board is scheduled to
consider approval of the Compact at its March 10, 2026 Board meeting. As part of that
agenda item, the Board will also receive an update on the progress of the County’s Five-
Year Plan to Reduce Homelessness, which is included in the staff report and its
attachments available here.
Previous Council or Advisory Body Action
This item is the first formal presentation to the City Council on the San Luis Obispo County
Regional Homelessness and Affordable Housing Compact and Regional Homeless
Services Inventory.
Public Engagement
Notice of this agenda item was provided through the City’s Public Meeting Agenda
postings online and at City Hall. Public comment can be provided to the City Council
through written correspondence prior to the meeting and through public testimony at the
meeting.
SLO County’s Homeless Services Division is scheduled to present the Regional Compact
to the San Luis Obispo Board of Supervisors on March 10, 2026. Community members
will have the opportunity to provide public comment at that public meeting, in addition to
public meetings to be held with each of the seven city councils within the county.
CONCURRENCE
Members of the City of San Luis Obispo’s Homelessness Response Steering Committee
reviewed the Draft San Luis Obispo Countywide Regional Homelessness and Affordable
Housing Compact. The Steering Committee also completed the survey which informed
the Regional Homeless Services Inventory and reviewed the draft report. The
Homelessness Response Steering Committee is comprised of leadership from City
Administration, City Attorney’s Office, and Community Development, Police, Fire, Public
Works and Utilities, and Parks and Recreation departments.
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Item 7c
The City Manager also participated in a regional sub-committee led by the County’s
Homeless Services Division to review and inform the process for developing the Regional
Compact.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) does not apply because the San Luis
Obispo Countywide Regional Homelessness and Affordable Housing Compact and
Regional Homeless Services Inventory do not constitute a “Project” under CEQA
Guidelines Section 15378.
FISCAL IMPACT
Budgeted: N/A Budget Year: N/A
Funding Identified: N/A
Fiscal Analysis:
Funding
Sources
Total Budget
Available
Current
Funding
Request
Remaining
Balance
Annual
Ongoing
Cost
General Fund $0 $0 $0 $0
State
Federal
Fees
Other:
Total $0 $0 $0 $0
There are no fiscal impacts directly associated with the San Luis Obispo Countywide
Regional Homelessness and Affordable Housing Compact and Regional Homeless
Services Inventory.
Ongoing homelessness response work efforts are included in the City’s 2025-27 Financial
Plan. Any additional work efforts related to responsibilities outlined in the Regional
Compact will be identified and incorporated into the appropriate department budget(s) for
future financial plan cycles.
Regional collaboration on addressing homelessness is often an important factor to the
State when considering budget allocations and grant applications. The successful
completion and support of the Regional Compact and Services Inventory may assist the
County and its cities in advocating for additional state funding for homeless services.
ALTERNATIVES
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Item 7c
1. Council could decide not to adopt the Draft Resolution approving the Regional
Compact. Under this alternative, the Regional Compact will not be complete and may
not create the funding opportunities from the State that are hoped for by the parties.
2. Council could request modifications to the Regional Compact. Should Council
pursue this option, clear direction should be provided to County staff on the
recommended modifications.
ATTACHMENTS
A - Draft Resolution adopting SLO Countywide Regional Homelessness and Affordable
Housing Compact
B - Draft SLO Countywide Regional Homelessness and Affordable Housing Compact
C - SLO County Regional Homeless Services Inventory
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R ______
RESOLUTION NO. _____ (2026 SERIES)
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN LUIS
OBISPO, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING THE SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY
REGIONAL HOMELESSNESS AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING
COMPACT.
WHEREAS, homelessness in San Luis Obispo County is a complex, countywide
challenge requiring unified, compassionate, and strategic action; and
WHEREAS, the County of San Luis Obispo and the seven incorporated cities
recognize that addressing homelessness effectively requires shared responsibility,
coordinated planning, and alignment of local and regional strategies; and
WHEREAS, the County of San Luis Obispo and the seven incorporated cities have
collaborated to develop the San Luis Obispo County Regional Homelessness and
Affordable Housing Compact (“Compact”) which establishes a voluntary, collaborative
framework through which participating jurisdictions commit to shared principles to guide
individual and collective actions, including treating all people with dignity, strengthening
regional collaboration, expanding housing and services, sharing responsibility and
resources, promoting transparency and accountability, and fostering community well -
being and safety; and
WHEREAS, the Compact aligns with the regional collaboration priorities outlined
in the City’s Major City Goal for Homelessness Response and the City’s Homelessness
Response Strategic Plan; and
WHEREAS, adoption of the Compact is intended to strengthen regional
partnerships, improve coordination across jurisdictions, and enhance competitiveness for
state and federal funding opportunities to address homelessness and affordable housing
needs.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the City of San Luis
Obispo as follows:
SECTION 1.
a) The City Council hereby approves the San Luis Obispo County Regional
Homelessness and Affordable Housing Compact, attached hereto as Exhibit A
and incorporated herein by reference.
b) The City Council authorizes the Mayor to sign the Compact at a future date in
collaboration and coordination with the County and the other six incorporated
cities.
c) The City Council authorizes the City Manager, or their designee, to coordinate
City actions and collaborate with the County, cities, and regional partners to
align planning, data sharing and implementation efforts consistent with the
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Resolution No. _____ (2026 Series) Page 2
R ______
Compact, subject to applicable City policies, regulatory restrictions and
budgetary authority.
Upon motion of Council Member ___________, seconded by Council Member
___________, and on the following roll call vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
The foregoing resolution was adopted this 17th day of March 2026.
___________________________
Mayor Erica A. Stewart
ATTEST:
______________________
Teresa Purrington
City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
______________________
J. Christine Dietrick
City Attorney
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the official seal of the
City of San Luis Obispo, California, on ______________________.
___________________________
Teresa Purrington
City Clerk
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San Luis Obispo Countywide Regional Homelessness and Affordable Housing Compact
A united regional framework to address homelessness and strengthen community well-being
Revision date:11/18/2025
Treat All People with
Dignity
We affirm that individuals experiencing homelessness are members of our community and deserve
respect, compassion, and equitable access to services.
Strengthen Regional
Collaboration
We will coordinate across jurisdictions to align services, share data, and pursue joint funding
opportunities that advance local and regional plans.
Expand Housing and
Services
We will work to increase access to shelter, supportive housing, affordable housing and essential
services, recognizing that housing is foundational to health and stability.
Share Responsibility
and Resources
We will equitably share the responsibility of addressing homelessness by advocating for and actively
pursuing funding for homelessness and affordable housing and by engaging in collaborative
planning.
Promote Transparency
and Accountability
We will share data, communicate clearly with the public, and evaluate progress together to ensure
effective, responsive action.
Foster Community
Well-Being and Safety
We recognize homelessness as both a public health concern and a humanitarian crisis that requires a
coordinated and compassionate response. We will manage encampments with empathy and
collaboration, balancing the needs of individuals with neighborhood safety, public health, and
environmental stewardship.
We, the County of San Luis Obispo and the seven incorporated Cities, recognize that homelessness is a complex, countywide
challenge that requires unified, compassionate, and strategic action. In San Luis Obispo County, individuals experiencing
homelessness are most often long-term community members. According to the 2024 Point-in-Time Count, 81% of
respondents reported living in the county for more than five years. This reinforces the importance of viewing people
experiencing homelessness not as problems to be solved, but as neighbors and community members to be supported.
Together, our agencies embrace the following shared commitments. We agree to pursue policies that align with these
principles and use them to guide future individual and collaborative actions to address homelessness in San Luis Obispo
County. By strengthening our partnership, we can better respond to community needs and enhance our competitiveness for
funding opportunities.
By signing this compact on this XX day of xxx, we commit to aligning our actions with these shared
regional commitments. Through collaborative action we will build a more inclusive, resilient, and
hopeful future for all who call San Luis Obispo County home.
Our Shared Commitments:
X
City of Arroyo Grande
X
City of San Luis Obispo
X
City of Paso Robles
X
City of Pismo Beach
X
City of Morro Bay
X
County of San Luis Obispo
X
City of Grover Beach
X
City of Atascadero
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City of Paso Robles (PR)
City of Atascadero (AT)
City of Morro Bay (MB)
City of San Luis Obispo (SLO)
City of Pismo Beach (PB)
City of Grover Beach (GB)
City of Arroyo Grande (AG)
County of San Luis Obispo (COSLO)
AG
MB
AT
PB
GB
SLO
COSLO
PR
County of San Luis ObispoRegional Homeless ServicesInventory Report
Page 1 of 11
Januar y 2026
Thi s r epor t summa r i zes t he div e r s e st r a tegi e s imp l e m e nt ed by the C i tie sand t he Cou n t y to ad d r e s s the n e eds o f th ose a t r i s k of o r exp e r i e nci nghomelessness. In thi s r epor t, e a c h entit y i s rep re s e nt ed by a co l o r-c o d ed circle (sho w n a b ove ) t o h i g hligh t t h e s peci f i c pr og rams , servi c e s ,fun din g sou rce s , a nd co l la bo r a tiv e p a rt ne rsh i ps th a t th ey part i c i pat e i n.
Page 209 of 219
SLOMBPRCOSLO
Strategic Plan to AddressHomelessness Adopted
City has a designatedHomeless ResponseCoordinator
SLO PR
Entity has taken the following actions
Strategic Planning& Coordination
Par ticipates in Homeless ServicesOversight Counsel (HSOC)
AG
GB
PB
SLO
MB
AT
PR
COSLO
Entity participates in bi-annual unsheltered Point-in-Time (PIT) count
AG
GB
PB
SLO
MB
AT
PR
COSLO
Law enforcement coordinateswith local providers to connectindividuals experiencinghomelessness to resources
GB
PB
SLO
MB
AT
PR
COSLO
AG Works in a lead capacity toconvene one or moreworking groups tocoordinate services thataddress homelessness
SLO PR COSLO
Page 2 of 11 Page 210 of 219
AG
GB
PB
SLO
MB
AT COSLO
Entity has formal policy orprotocol for EncampmentResponse and Management Has pursued and been awardedState or Federal competitivefunding to expand homelessservices or affordable housing(i.e. Homekey+, EncampmentResolution Funds, etc.)
GB SLO COSLO
County established Homeless Services Division
Lead applicant for State and Federal funding designated for CoC and County organizations
Conducts annual HUD Community Development Needs Assessment
Oversight and development of HUD Five Year Action Plan
Serves as Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) administrator & conducts related activities
Lead entity to conduct required State and Federal compliance activities.
Continuum of Care lead entity & related activities
Coordination of required activities to administer CDBG Urban County Agreement
Regular review of system performance metrics and collaboration with partners to drive improvements
Leads bi-annual unsheltered Point in Time Count
Leads annual sheltered Point in Time Count
Collaboration with affordable housing providers to increase affordable housing stock countywide
Annual renewal of declaration of shelter crisis
Entity has taken the following actions
Strategic Planning &Coordination (cont.)
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The County of San Luis Obispo conducts all of the following activities:
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Services for persons at risk of or experiencing homelessness supported by entity resources
*Other support includes: Indirect contributions of staff time and use of entity owned land for delivery of services for
those experiencing or at risk of homelessness
Paso Robles Atascadero Morro Bay San Luis
Obispo Pismo Beach Grover Beach Arroyo
Grande County
Service Funding Other Funding Other Funding Other Funding Other Funding Other Funding Other Funding Other Funding Other
Outreach X X X X X X X X X X X X
Prevention X X X X X X X X X X
Rapid Rehousing X X X X X X X X X
Interim Shelter X X X X X X X X X X
Warming/Cooling
Center X X X X X X X X X
Permanent
Supportive Housing X X X X X X X X X X
Affordable Housing X X X X X X X X X X X
Stand Alone Shower
Programs X X X
Funding
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Services for persons at risk of or experiencing homelessness supported by entity resources (cont.)
*Other support includes: Indirect contributions of staff time and use of entity owned land for delivery of services for
those experiencing or at risk of homelessness
Paso Robles Atascadero Morro Bay San Luis
Obispo Pismo Beach Grover
Beach
Arroyo
Grande County
Service Funding Other Funding Other Funding Other Funding Other Funding Other Funding Other Funding Other Funding Other
Allocation of entity
local funding (General
fund) to homeless
serving organizations
X X X X X X X
Allocation of entity
local funding (General
fund) to affordable
housing developers
X X X X
Hotel & Motel
Programs X X X
Overnight Safe
Parking Programs X X X
Housing Support for
Justice Involved
Individuals
X X
Funding (cont.)
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Services for persons at risk of or experiencing homelessness supported by entity resources (cont.)
*Other support includes: Indirect contributions of staff time and use of entity owned land for delivery of services for
those experiencing or at risk of homelessness
Paso Robles Atascadero Morro Bay San Luis
Obispo Pismo Beach Grover
Beach
Arroyo
Grande County
Service Funding Other Funding Other Funding Other Funding Other Funding Other Funding Other Funding Other Funding Other
Sober Living support
for Justice Involved
Individuals
X
Behavioral Health
Bridge Housing X X
BHSA Housing
Interventions X X
Homeless Outreach
Team and Full-
Service Partnership
X X
Other community
programs serving
those experiencing or
at risk of
homelessness
X X X X
Funding (cont.)
Page 6 of 11 Page 214 of 219
Funding Source Allocated
Funding Source Paso
Robles Atascadero Morro Bay San Luis
Obispo
Pismo
Beach
Grover
Beach
Arroyo
Grande County
Community Development Block
Grant (Urban County Agreement)X X X X X X X
Community Development Block
Grant (State competition)X
State Homeless Housing Assistance
and Prevention Grant X
Permanent Local Housing Allocation
(PLHA)X
Continuum of Care X
Opioid Settlement Funds X X
Diablo Decommissioning Funds
(SB1090)X
HOME Investment Partnership X
Funding (cont.)
Page 7 of 11 Page 215 of 219
Funding Source Allocated (cont.)
Funding Source Paso
Robles Atascadero Morro Bay San Luis
Obispo
Pismo
Beach
Grover
Beach
Arroyo
Grande County
Emergency Solutions Grant (State
and Federal)X
Public Safety Realignment (AB109)X
Homeless Housing Incentive
Program X
Behavioral Health Bridge Program X
Behavioral Health Services Act X
MediCal X
State Department of Social Services
Grant Programs X
Local Fund Community Service
Grants X X X
General Fund X X X X X X
Funding (cont.)
Page 8 of 11 Page 216 of 219
SLO PR AG
Fast tracked zoning changes
Made public land available forhousing/services
SLOPRAGGBCOSLO
Entity has taken the following actions to supporthomelessness and/or affordable housing infrastructure
Planning & Zoning
Prioritized affordable housingin land use planning
GB
PB
SLO
PR
COSLO
MB
Leveraged CEQA exemptionsor density bonuses
AG
GB PB
SLO PR
COSLO
Partnered on siting/buildingshelters or housing
GB
PB SLO
AT PR
COSLO
Waived or reduced fees for projectsthat expand homeless services oraffordable housing
SLO PRPB MB
AT
Used City funds to payrequired fees
ProHousing designation earnedfrom State of California Housingand Community DevelopmentDivision
SLOCOSLO
Creation of local revenuefund to support affordablehousing building(Regional HousingIncentive Fund)COSLO
Deferred DevelopmentImpact Fees for affordablehousing projects
ATPR SLO
Page 9 of 11
PR
Page 217 of 219
AG PB
MB AT
Teams comprised of law enforcement,behavioral health and serviceproviders to work directly with peopleexperiencing unshelteredhomelessness (i.e. CAT or OUR Teams)
PR
COSLO SLO
Homeless OutreachCase Manageremployed by City MB
The services listed below are provided by various County departments and are eitherservices specifically developed for persons experiencing or at risk of homelessness or areservices available to the general public, but which have an identifiable overlap ofutilization by persons experiencing or at risk of homelessness
Mobile Probation Services to connect with justice involved individuals experiencing homelessness
Dedicated case manager embedded with library to serve needs of unsheltered library patrons
Public Health services including communicable disease treatment, and enhanced case management
Conservatorship
Sobering Center
24/7 Mobile Crisis Services
Outpatient Treatment Centers for specialty behavioral health needs for MediCal insured individuals
Psychiatric Health Facility
Treatment Court Programs
Housing Programs for clients of Social Services (Housing Support Program, Bringing Families Home, HomeSafe, Housing Disability and Advocacy Program)
County General Assistance program
Direct Services for those at risk of orexperiencing homelessness provided by entity
Services
Delivery of trash bags and/ortrash collection for individualswho are encamped
GB
SLOMB
AT PR
Page 10 of 11 Page 218 of 219
SLO
Uses official entity website toshare information aboutaffordable housing
GBCOSLO
Uses official channels ofcommunication to share informationabout affordable housing throughsocial media or press releases
SLOAG
COSLO MB AT
PR
Entity promotes community awareness ofhomeless services and affordable housing projects
Data & Communication
Uses official entity websiteto share information abouthomeless services
SLO COSLO PR
Has held community forumsand/or neighborhood events todiscuss homelessness
GB SLO
PR
COSLO
MB AT
Uses official channels ofcommunication to share informationabout homelessness through socialmedia or press releases
SLO MB COSLOATPR
Holds at least one annual andongoing community meetingor neighborhood event todiscuss homelessness
PR SLOAT
Holds regular updates aspart of official Board or CityCouncil meetings
PRGB COSLO
Has a process in place to encouragetwo-way communication betweencommunity members and leadersaround homelessness andaffordable housing issues
SLO ATPRCOSLO
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PR
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