HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity of SLO Letter of Support for County ERF-5 GrantCity of San Luis Obispo, Office of the City Council, 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo, CA, 93401-3249, 805.781.7114,
slocity.org
June 2, 2026
California Department of Housing and Community Development
651 Bannon Street
Sacramento, CA 95811
Subject: Letter of Support for the San Luis Obispo County application for Encampment Resolution
Funding Program Round 5
Dear Review Committee,
On behalf of the City of San Luis Obispo (“City”), I am pleased to support the application being
submitted by San Luis Obispo County for Round 5 of the Encampment Resolution Funding Program
to address vehicular homelessness in our county. Individuals experiencing vehicular homelessness
make up the largest percentage of our unhoused community in the City and the impacts of vehicular
homelessness are felt throughout our community by residents and local businesses.
The City has prioritized funding for safe parking including two pilot programs in partnership with our
local homeless services provider, Community Action Partnership of San Luis Obispo County (CAPSLO).
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the City and CAPSLO implemented an overnight safe parking
program at a City-owned site, which provided parking and case management services for up to 30
households on a nightly basis for two years. In 2025, the City and CAPSLO partnered with local faith-
based organizations to implement a Community Safe Parking Pilot Program that provides 12 safe
parking spaces at six different City-owned and faith-based sites on a monthly rotation.
Despite these efforts, the need for safe parking services and resources for individuals experiencing
vehicular homelessness continues to exceed our current regional capacity. This cross-jurisdictional
effort will connect individuals living in their vehicles with needed shelter and housing through rapid
rehousing resources, case management services, and a potential RV buy-back program.
One of the City’s six major city goals is “Homelessness Response.” Over the past five years, the City
has invested significant resources to expand housing options for all community members
experiencing homelessness and to partner with our local partners to implement comprehensive
strategies to reduce chronic homelessness. SLO County is proposing an actionable, person-centered,
coordinated approach to assist individuals experiencing vehicular homelessness in our community.
I wholeheartedly support this application and urge you to fund this important initiative to support
our community members in their transition out of vehicular homelessness and into permanent
housing.
Sincerely,
Erica A. Stewart
Mayor
City of San Luis Obispo