San Luis Obispo — County Supervisor Jim Patterson is moderating a panel discussion tonight on homelessness issues and solutions.

A panel of people,all currently or previously homeless, will talk about their own personal experiences.

The event will kick off with a clip from the documentary “Homeless Not Hopeless (In The Happiest Place in America),” which chronicles the living conditions of some homeless people living in San Luis Obispo County. The film won best local feature film at the San Luis Obispo International Film Festival in March.

The film will be followed by a panel discussion featuring a parent struggling to maintain stability for her children while living in a shelter, a survivor of domestic violence, and individuals dealing with mental health issues.

Patterson will moderate the discussion, taking questions from the audience for the panel which is comprised of individuals who have received services from The San Luis Obispo Women’s Shelter, Transitions-Mental Health Association and People’s Self Help Housing.

Local homeless service providers will also be present with information about what services are available and ways the public can get involved.

The discussion will take place from 7 to 9 p.m. tonight at Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa in downtown San Luis Obispo. The event is sponsored by the mission's Social Justice Ministry program and Highlight Media.