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HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 4a. Pennon and Vethavanam - Staff Agenda CorrespondenceCity of San Luis Obispo, Council Memorandum City of San Luis Obispo Human Relations Commission Staff Agenda Correspondence DATE: March 30, 2026 TO: Chair and Commissioners FROM: Samantha Vethavanam, Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Administrative Specialist VIA: Matt Pennon, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Manager SUBJECT: Item #4a – Review of the 2026-27 Human Services Grant Subcommittee Recommendations and Provide a Recommendations to Council for Approval The Human Services Grant Subcommittee has created the attached funding recommendations worksheet to help guide the funding recommendations conversation for the 2026-27 Human Services Grant under Item 4a. The worksheet includes the applicant’s request, the Subcommittee’s recommendation, and their reasoning for such recommendation. Human Relations Subcommittee Human Services Grant 26-27 Funding Recommendations Our subcommittee approached this review process with clear intention and care. In developing our funding recommendations, we focused on organizations that strongly align with the City’s primary funding priorities, demonstrate a direct and meaningful impact on specific populations within the City of San Luis Obispo, and have shown a consistent ability to provide positive value to the community members they serve. We also considered each organization’s track record, the clarity of their proposed outcomes, and how their work contributes to the broader well-being of our community. With that context, we are pleased to share a summary of our funding recommendations below: Organization Program Description Req. Amount Rec. Amount Reasoning CAPSLO Homeless Prevention/Stable Housing Project 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, case manager salary, and some indirect expenses. $20,000 $10,000 CAPSLO continues to demonstrate a strong and consistent commitment to serving community members through programs that provide meaningful and measurable impact. The subcommittee recognized the organization’s ongoing ability to deliver positive value to the populations they serve, along with their established presence and trusted role within the community. CASA Preventing Homelessness for Vulnerable Foster Youth This project will support partial rent for CASA’s office, a hub for homelessness prevention services. CASA volunteers rely on secure internet access, private office space, and on-site technology to attend court hearings alongside their youth at the CASA office. The office also serves as the primary location for volunteer trainings, youth meetings, and coordination with housing providers, mental health services, and community resources. Funds will go to rent for their office in SLO City. $20,000 $10,000 CASA of SLO County is recommended for funding due to its continued impact in supporting youth in foster care with an increased risk of housing instability. CASA plays a critical role in providing stability and advocacy and their work helps create pathways toward long-term well-being and prevents future experiences of homelessness. Human Relations Subcommittee Human Services Grant 26-27 Funding Recommendations Family Care Network, Inc. Pathways to Stability This program will provide eviction prevention and shelter diversion services for transitional age youth who are at imminent risk of homelessness and ineligible for existing housing services. The program will include short-term, financial support for eviction prevention, landlord mediation, and intensive housing stabilization services. Funds would support direct costs for the participants, such as rent and utility assistance and security deposits. $20,000 $14,000 Family Care Network, Inc., is recommended for funding for providing essential support to Transitional Aged Youth, a population that is historically at high risk of becoming unhoused. FCNI’s approach includes direct financial assistance, such as eviction prevention, combined with coordinated supportive services. This program’s layered support model is impactful and aligns with the goals of the grant. Food Bank No-Cook Bags for Residents Experiencing Homelessness This program provides bags of portable foods designed for homeless residents who do not have access to a kitchen and so cannot benefit from typical Food Bank distribution items. No-Cook Bags are distributed by community partners who work directly with people experiencing homelessness, including nonprofits, faith- based organizations, law enforcement agencies, and social service providers. Funds would support the purchase of food for 30,000 bags. $15,000 $15,000 The Food Bank Coalition of SLO County provides direct and immediate support to individuals and families experiencing food insecurity. Food Bank’s ability to deliver measurable results and a fundamental need within the community has a clear and tangible impact on the well-being of City residents. HASLO Housing Stability with Supportive Services This program prevents homelessness and strengthens tenancy outcomes for residents in HASLO housing, with emphasis on people exiting homelessness, medically vulnerable residents, seniors, families, and people with disabilities. Grant funds will provide targeted, flexible, assistance, including rental and utility gap support, move‑in essentials, transportation, and short‑term food support. $20,000 $15,000 HASLO was recommended for its strong alignment with the purpose of the grant, particularly its focus on early intervention and housing stability. HASLO’s ability to support individuals and families before they experience homelessness was recognized as having a significant and preventative impact within the community. Human Relations Subcommittee Human Services Grant 26-27 Funding Recommendations Jewish Family Services SLO City Emergency Homelessness Prevention & Support Program This program will provide financial assistance to individuals experiencing homelessness or at imminent risk within the City of SLO. Through referrals from established City-serving agencies JFS distributes targeted micro-grants (up to $200) to remove immediate barriers to housing stability. Funds would support services like deposit support, rent gap funding, gas for Safe Parking participants, vehicle repairs needed for employment, storage fees, and others. $10,000 $10,000 Jewish Family Services of SLO demonstrated strong alignment with the City’s funding priorities, particularly through a clear and compelling connection to belonging and community support. The subcommittee also recognizes the organization’s collaborative approach and ability to provide direct financial assistance to populations in need. LTC Ombudsman Services of SLO County Ombudsman Services This program includes resident centered advocacy, resident empowerment, information and assistance/referrals, systemic advocacy, complaint investigations and resolutions, facility monitoring visits, eviction prevention, community education, facility staff trainings, and witnessing advanced health care directives for residents in skilled nursing facilities. Funds would support staff salaries. $5,000 $5,000 LTC Ombudsman Services is recommended for its focused work supporting older adults, particularly those at risk of housing instability or residing in care facilities. The organization plays a key role in advocacy, ensuring that a specific and often overlooked population receives support, protection, and access to resources. Lumina Alliance Emergency Shelter Program for Sexual Assault and Intimate Partner Violence Survivors This program would support the operating costs of Lumina’s emergency shelter program in Atascadero and San Luis Obispo with a total of 26 beds and 4 cribs for survivors of sexual assault and intimate partner violence and their children. Funds would cover a portion of the costs of repair and maintenance, supplies, food, and staff time. $20,000 $15,000 Lumina Alliance is recognized for providing comprehensive, wraparound services to a specific population, including women and children. Lumina Alliance funding will directly support services within the City of San Luis Obispo and provides complex needs with a holistic approach. Human Relations Subcommittee Human Services Grant 26-27 Funding Recommendations Middle House Community Service for Housing Grant This project would allow Middle House residents to volunteer at non-profit organizations in exchange for housing – one hour of volunteering would covers one days rent (i.e. thirty hours of volunteering covers thirty days rent). The facility includes: furnished living areas, unlimited food, hot daily meals, structured drug free environment, donated clothing, laundry facilities, internet access, cable TV and group activities. Funds would support 800 days of rent at $25 per hour. $20,000 $10,000 Middle House serves a specific and vulnerable population within the community, offering long-standing support for individuals in recovery. While the population served may be smaller in number, the depth and meaningfulness of this program is large. Restorative Partners Opportunity to Fund This program provides assistance to formerly incarcerated participants facing significant barriers to employment and housing, while advancing stability and community reintegration. Eligible expenses include short-term rental assistance, housing application fees, vital identification documents, public transportation, basic hygiene supplies, and professional attire for job interviews and housing appointments. Funds would support transportation needs, rental assistance, documents, clothing, etc. $20,000 $15,000 Restorative Partners is recommended for its work supporting individuals re-entering the community after incarceration. The organization provides essential resources such as food, clothing, and hygiene supplies, helping to reduce barriers and support successful reintegration. These services have a high impact on long-term stability and community connection. Shower the People Shower the People This program provides mobile shower services that also include supplies and clothing for people experiencing homelessness and operates in SLO 4 days a week for 3 to 4 hours a day, serving on average 20-35 guests per day on site. Funds would support all aspects of the program including clothing, gas, supplies, etc. $15,000 $15,000 Shower the People offers a unique, mobile service that provides hygiene support to individuals experiencing homelessness. Shower the People offers a low-barrier approach to services and connects individuals to additional community resources and support systems. Human Relations Subcommittee Human Services Grant 26-27 Funding Recommendations SLO Noor Foundation Homelessness Prevention – City of San Luis Obispo Project This program provides the City of SLO and its low-income and otherwise underserved residents with free medical, dental, vision, and mental health care services. This will occur at the SLO Noor Free Health Clinics, which incorporate both brick-and-mortar clinics, as well as telehealth appointments. Funds would support personnel and direct operating costs. $20,000 $15,000 SLO Noor Foundation is recommended for its role in providing accessible healthcare services to uninsured and unhoused community members. Through both clinic-based and mobile services, the organization delivers critical medical care to those who might otherwise go without, addressing a significant gap in service. Womenade SLO, Inc. Womenade SLO Housing Support Fund This program would support residents of the City of SLO who have urgent housing assistance needs, including requests for partial rent or hotel stays for individuals or families who are facing imminent eviction, are experiencing homelessness, or were unhoused and are working on getting their housing established. Funds would go to direct aid. $6,000 $6,000 Womenade SLO, Inc., is recognized for its strong community connections and its ability to provide direct, flexible support for individuals experiencing housing instability. The organization’s low-barrier approach and responsiveness to urgent needs provides meaningful and immediate impact in the community.