The County of San Luis Obispo (County) is currently accepting applications for its 2025 Action Plan, a grant program designed to align with and support the countywide goals of the 2025-2029 Consolidated Plan and the San Luis Obispo Countywide Plan to Address Homelessness (2022-2027). This initiative is driven by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) requirement for entitlement jurisdictions to develop annual Action Plans in accordance with their Consolidated Plans, aiming to best serve the community by addressing identified needs. The program's core mission is to establish grant funding recommendations through competitive projects that contribute to broader community development and homelessness alleviation strategies.
The primary target beneficiaries of this grant program are individuals experiencing homelessness and other vulnerable populations within San Luis Obispo County. The program's impact goals are centered on improving community development, providing essential services, and increasing access to vital resources for these populations. Priorities and focuses for funding include a range of eligible activities such as emergency shelters, warming/cooling centers, safe parking initiatives, street outreach, and essential services for persons experiencing homelessness. Additionally, tenant-based rental assistance is a key focus, aiming to provide stable housing solutions.
Expected outcomes include a more robust network of support services for the homeless, improved living conditions for vulnerable residents, and progress towards the countywide goals of the Consolidated Plan and the Plan to Address Homelessness. Measurable results will be derived from the effective allocation of funds across various eligible activities, contributing to a reduction in homelessness and an increase in access to necessary services. The program is specifically funded through CDBG, ESG, and HOME allocations, with estimated funds available for 2025 totaling $1,335,161, $135,603, and $769,779 respectively, ensuring a comprehensive approach to community needs.
The County's strategic priorities are to address community development needs and homelessness through a collaborative and data-driven approach. This is evidenced by the use of goals identified through Community Development Needs Assessment Workshops, Surveys, Hearings, and other outreach efforts to establish funding priorities. The underlying theory of change posits that by strategically allocating competitive grant funding to qualified entities—including private nonprofits, for-profit entities (for economic development), governmental agencies, and units of general local government—the county can effectively implement projects that directly address the identified needs, leading to tangible improvements in community well-being and a reduction in homelessness. The project period runs from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026, allowing for impactful short-term interventions within a longer-term strategic framework.
