3 SLO County cities haven’t had warming shelters for homeless residents. New grant could help
San Luis Obispo County is looking to expand the number of warming centers for homeless individuals in three cities where shelter is needed most.
According to a news release from the San Luis Obispo County Homeless Services Division, the county issued a $500,000 request for proposals to establish overnight warming centers in Atascadero, Morro Bay and Paso Robles.
As is, the Community Action Partnership of San Luis Obispo operates a warming center at 40 Prado Homeless Services Center and the 5 Cities Homeless Coalition runs a warming center in South County, while volunteer group Hope and Faith Street Outreach operates a warming center in collaboration with fellow volunteer group Paso Cares, which moves between churches in North County, according to volunteer Aurora William.
According to the release, Atascadero, Morro Bay and Paso Robles were found to have some of the highest numbers of unsheltered homeless residents in the 2024 Point-In-Time Count.
“These warming centers will fill a critical gap for our unsheltered neighbors,”Homeless Services Division program manager Katlynn Beatty said in the release. “We know that cold and wet weather can be life-threatening, and it’s essential to provide safe and welcoming spaces during these conditions. This initiative will help ensure that every corner of our county has the resources needed to protect our most vulnerable community members.”
A total of $500,000 will be up for grabs to support the three new warming centers in the 2025-28 cold seasons, with potential further expansions into the 2028-29 cold season, according to the release.
Like 40 Prado’s warming center, the new centers will operate on nights when temperatures fall below 38 degrees or there is a 50% or higher chance of precipitation, according to the release.
The new centers must provide guests with a warm meal, a place to sleep and a to-go breakfast, according to the release.
Proposed sites must serve as entry points into the county’s homeless and housing care system, and will be evaluated based on location, geographic reach, operational capacity and experience serving people experiencing unsheltered homelessness, according to the release.
Applications are due Feb. 26 at 3 p.m. through the county’s website, slocounty.gov/Homeless ServicesGrants.
“This is an opportunity for organizations to create new solutions for our community,” county administrative services manager Jeff Al-Mashat said in the release. “By participating in this effort, you will play an essential role in fostering compassionate spaces that provide safety and hope for those facing unsheltered homelessness.”
This story was originally published January 31, 2025 at 9:00 AM.
