5Cities Homeless Coalition is transforming the lives of those who are homeless or facing homelessness with a special focus for assistance in Southern San Luis Obispo County. Our efforts focus on helping the most vulnerable in our community maintain dignity while working toward a new home (or retaining their home). Our work goes beyond the immediate, to ensure that clients have the plan, skill sets, and support needed to be successful and self-sufficient. We are proud to share that more than 90% of those we have helped to house (or prevented from eviction) remain housed more than one-year later.
5CHC Services During Covid
- Office Closed To Walk-In Service
- 5CHC’s office is closed to the public, except for those clients who already receive mail through 5CHC.
- Phone: 805-574-1638
- 5CHC is currently open to telephone calls for assistance, Monday through Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., please dial 805-574-1638. Additionally those seeking assistance may email 5CHC at info@5CHC.org.
Countywide Housing Support:
5CHC is working to provide support with rental and deposit assistance, with case management, for those who are homeless or at-risk of homelessness (depending on eligibility) throughout San Luis Obispo County. More detail below.
South County Specific Services:
5CHC provides services, support for immediate needs, and case management for those who are homeless and living in South County. Please note, there is no emergency shelter available in South County other than a winter warming center that opens only on cold and rainy nights (November to March).
Information and Referral – Coordinated Entry
Assistance begins with general information and referral to community services coupled with a comprehensive assessment of needs, identification of barriers and development of an immediate action plan. Those visiting 5CHC’s offices are provided access to computer, internet, phone charging, mailing address, food and hygiene supplies. 5CHC staff serves as a source of knowledge and referral.
Housing Assistance:
The Coalition’s Housing Assistance program serves those who are currently homeless or at risk of losing housing. Housing support services are offered to San Luis Obispo County residents, throughout the county. Case management and financial assistance is offered for rent, deposit and immediate needs based on differing criteria of a variety of funding grants.
Countywide Housing Support:
5CHC is working to provide support with rental and deposit assistance, with case management, for those who are homeless or at-risk of homelessness (depending on eligibility) who are residents of San Luis Obispo County. In order to provide rental or deposit assistance, 5CHC is required to determine eligibility be reviewing all necessary documentation (as detailed below).
Prior to requesting assistance, please gather all necessary documentation, which will assist 5CHC in expediting your request for support.
For anyone unable to provide the requested documentation, contact 5CHC for guidance regarding other community resources that may be available.
Documents needed for requests with housing assistance (rent, deposit, etc.)
- Photo Identification for ALL adults in household
- Social Security for ALL in household
- Birth Certificate for ALL Minors in Household
- Income for Verification for all Adults in Household (Most recent 3 consecutive months)
- Employment – Pay Stubs
- Social Security Benefits – Survivor, Disability, Retirement Award Letter
- DSS Cash Aid/General Assistance – Award Letter
- Child/Spousal Support
- State Unemployment
- State Disability
- Worker’s Compensation
- Letter from Employer Re Lay-Off Due to COVID (if applicable)
- Rental Agreement – sublet and room rentals do not qualify
- 3 Day Pay or Quit Notice (if for homeless prevention)
- Eviction Notice (If applicable)
- Bank Statements for prior 3 months
SSVF- Supportive Services for Veteran Families
The SSVF program serves Veterans who are currently homeless or at risk of losing housing. The program provides temporary assistance and services to help homeless veterans and their families gain housing stability. The United States Department of Veterans Affairs, Supportive Services for Veterans Families Program, provides funding for this program. This is a joint program of Good Samaritan Shelter and 5Cities Homeless Coalition. Please note that the SSVF office in Grover Beach is in a new location:
- Phone: (805) 202-3056
- SSVF Office: 150 South 6th Street Unit A, Grover Beach CA 93483
Other Forms of Housing Assistance:
5CHC may be able to access other forms of housing support, such as Tenant-Based Rental Assistance and the Rental Deposit Loan Program in addition to these programs.
Immediate Needs:
The purpose of this program is to assist homeless and low-income families and individuals in need who live in the Five Cities area with limited funds to address their immediate needs, and move them to self–sufficiency. Often helping families to overcome a one-time barrier enables them to move toward self-sufficiency, stability in the home, and economic improvement. Examples of assistance include support with utilities, gasoline, auto repairs, clothing, and employment readiness. These funds can be used to pay for bills, or for goods or services’; however no funds are given directly to the individual.
Homeless Youth Outreach:
5CHC’s homeless youth program matches a case manager with unaccompanied youth (aged 16-24) providing education, connection and services. One-on-one case management helps these youth with immediate needs, housing and development of an individualized Action Plan to help them independent living, steady employment, and continued education.
Benefits Advocacy:
Clients enrolled in 5CHC’s case management program are offered additional guidance and advocacy for obtaining and retaining public benefits, including SSI, SSDI, Cal Fresh, etc. Clients are also encouraged to participate in financial literacy and budgeting training.
Warming Center – Winter Only:
During the winter months only, 5Cities Homeless Coalition operates an overnight warming center to provide a safe, warm and dry place for homeless adults to find shelter for the night during the winter on nights with predictions of temperatures at or below 40°F, or especially stormy weather (with rain forecast at 50% or greater). The seasonal warming center is offered between Nov. 1 and April 30, weather and funding dependent. A location for 2019-20 has not yet been identified.
Volunteers are needed to monitor the center overnight during operating hours, which are 4pm-8am. Clients arrive by 5pm and leave by 7am. Volunteers are also needed to launder linens and provide meals to guests. Volunteers will be able to sign up for 4 hour shifts. The volunteer position is on-call, as the warming center is only open on nights when it is forecast to be below 40 degrees or there is a 50% chance of rain or higher. Contact us at info@5chc.org for more details of volunteer opportunities.
In-Kind Donations:
The Coalition receives support from many community groups with such things as hygiene kits, feminine products, food and snack sacks. These items are then distributed with the help of our many community partners to those in need throughout the community. Due to limited space we are unable to donations of clothing; except for new socks, underwear or sweat pants. We however work closely with St. Barnabas Thrift Shop, which allows us to refer our our clients to shop for free. We encourage you to make your clothing donation through them.
