What current health and human service needs (e.g. affordable housing, homeless services, senior services, etc.) should the City prioritize for the 2020 Grants-in-Aid (GIA), Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), and NEW funding allocations for Diversity & Inclusion efforts?

On October 2, 2019 the Human Relations Commission (HRC) will host their annual Community Needs Workshop. This workshop allows the public to provide comments on current community development and human service needs in our community. This input will be used by the HRC to review and update funding priorities for the Grants-in-Aid (GIA) and Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) programs, as well as NEW funding allocations for Diversity & Inclusion efforts.

In advance of the workshop, the City is providing this opportunity for feedback on the current health and human service needs (e.g. affordable housing, homeless services, senior services, improved accessibility, etc.) in the community; and to understand what needs should be prioritized for the next round of grant funding. All information collected will be distributed to the HRC and referenced during the workshop.

Grants-in-Aid (GIA)

• What is the Grants-in Aid (GIA) Program?

  • Provides financial support to non-profit organizations that promote the economic and social well-being of the citizens of San Luis Obispo.

• What were the 2019 funding priorities?

   Main Priority: Homelessness prevention, including affordable and alternative housing, support services and transitional housing

   Other Priorities (not ranked):

  • Hunger and malnutrition prevention,

  • Supportive physical and mental health services for those in need

  • Services for seniors and/or people with disabilities in need

  • Supportive and development services for children and youth in need.

Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)

• What is the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program?

  • A federal program administered by HUD.

  • City funding decisions supported by County, included in Action Plan.

  • SLO County designated as Urban County

    • Incorporated cities eligible to receive formula based annual grants

    • Funding distributed to each county, non-competitive

• What were the 2019 CDBG funding priorities? (Ranked)

  1. Emergency and transitional shelter, homelessness prevention and services,

  2. Develop and enhance affordable housing for low and very-low income persons,

  3. Promote accessibility and/or removal of architectural barriers for the disabled and elderly,

  4. Economic development (including seismic retrofit, economic stability, low and moderate income jobs). 

Diversity & Inclusion Allocation

• What is the Diversity & Inclusion allocation?

  • As part of the 2019-21 Financial Plan, the City Council allocated a portion of general fund money to help assist with diversity and inclusion efforts.

  • All of the 2019-21 Major City Goal workplans align with the Council's vision, and incorporate specific tasks that foster this vision.

  • The Human Relations Commission is tasked with soliciting public input to help identify how to disperse these funds.

We appreciate your feedback on the city of San Luis Obispo's current community needs! The Human Relations Commission's Community Needs Workshop will be held on Wednesday, October 2nd, 2019 at 5:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber in City Hall at 990 Palm Street.