A long-planned temporary emergency housing facility for people battling homelessness is open and accepting guests in Grover Beach. This pioneering project, known as Cabins for Change, is the first of its kind in South County and provides shelter space and other important services for individuals experiencing homelessness. The City of Grover Beach, the County of San Luis Obispo (SLO), and 5Cities Homeless Coalition (5CHC) partnered on this innovative facility which will be operated by 5CHC. 

Located on 16th Street and Longbranch Ave, the facility includes 20 small-sized cabins that provide residents with temporary housing between 90-to-180 days. Clients have access to 24/7 support, wrap-around case management, and services providing nutrition, recovery, and housing stabilization guidance. The ultimate goal of the program is to relocate homeless clients into permanent housing within a three-month timeframe.

The Cabins for Change program was funded by the CARES Act allocation the County received from the federal government, with the assistance of Congressman Carbajal. In addition to this $1.2 million, the County of SLO apportioned funds received through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) toward the construction and operation of this temporary emergency shelter. 

“We are seeing more and more people falling into homelessness by the housing cost, and then the challenges around the pandemic, around job regrowth, etc., have exasperated that. A lot of people are still not able to find the income that they had before that," said Janna Nichols, Executive Director of the 5Cities Homeless Coalition.

In late December of 2022, Cabins for Change welcomed its first 20 tenants into the temporary housing community, and by April 2023, members of the homeless coalition celebrated its first group of graduates from the program.

A Special Thanks

In grateful recognition for your leadership and generosity in offering hope, resources, and support:

Congressman Salud Carbajal

County of San Luis Obispo

City of Grover Beach

City of Pismo Beach

City of Arroyo Grande

Toyota