DignityMoves and Santa Barbara County Announce the Launch of Comprehensive Plan to solve Interim Housing Needs  https://share.newsbreak.com/2xjuj6uv

Housing is a difficult subject in the Estero Bay region, as there is so little available. Traditional housing can be approached by contacting HASLO (Housing Authority of San Luis Obispo - 487 Leff St., San Luis Obispo 805-543-4478) or contact:

    HomeShare (805-215-5474, homeshareslo.org) 

    smartsharehousingsolutions.org / homeshareslo.org 
New Program: Exchange homeshare - Reduced rent for tasks. ask about Tiny House consulting and co-living collaborative.

California Tenant Protection Act AB1482

AB1482 Know your rights Guide for California Tenants

Get Your Tenant Advocacy Tool Kit online at www.tenantstogether.org

AM I COVERED?

The California Tenant Protection Act [AB1482]

Check online at www.tenantstogether.org

New Rent Control Bill Signed Into Law October 8, 2019

Governor Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 1482 on October 8 which will limit annual rent increases to 5% plus inflation, and  bans landlords from evicting tenants for no reason. The bill does not take effect until Janiary 1, 2020, but  would apply to rent increases on or after March 15, 2019, to prevent landlords from raising rents just before the caps go into place. This bill is an atttempt to tackle the homeless crisis.

Rent Gouging Prohibited by California State of Emergency

Because of the high risk of wildfires, Governor Newson declared a State of Emergency on March 22, which appears to trigger California Penal Code 396 prohibiting price gouging, (an increase over 10%) for necessary goods and services. 

For tenants in CA facing high rent increases, this would mean that any increase over 10% is prohibited. 

There is a narrow exception for price increases over 10% if the landlord proves that the price increase is directly related to cost increases.

Tenants who face rent increasess over 10% in areas where the State of Emergency has been declared should seek help immediately. Resources include local legal aid offices and local district attorneys. Price gouging tenants is not just a civil violation, but a criminal misdemeanor under the law.

Homes on Wheels Alliance

Homes on Wheels Alliance (HOWA) is a charitable 501c3organization that assists individuals with a nomad lifestyle in acchieving sustainable personal and economic self-sufficiency by focusing on providing safe and secure unconventional housing and an economic safety net.

www.homesonwheelsalliance.org,  email:homesonwheelsalliance@gmail.org

Phone: (775)764-8115

Safe Parking  ******

Under the Housing For All Act sponsored by Senator Alex Padilla, Congressman Salud Carbajol, and Representative Ted Lieu which will come up for a public vote next year, Grants of 5 million dollars will be established through the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for cities and local governments to apply for, to establish or expand existing safe parking programs.

A safe parking program provides secure overnight parking spaces for those forced to live in their cars. Community outreach will provide the next step in housing these people. The Safe Parking program provides several overnight parking spots in a variety of different locations throught the city. These could be in church, city owned, or business parking lots. Restrooms and community outreach will be provided, plus an onsite staff person to check individuals and families in and ensure a safe environment throught the night. 

Right now, there are Safe Parking programs in several California cities. Community activists are attempting to start a comprehensive safe parking program in Morro Bay, modeled on  successful programs in Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo's Railroad Museum parking lot, as well as 40 Prado. The Safe Parking program is not yet functioning in Morro Bay, but local government has shown interest.

County of San Luis Safe Parking - December, 2021

Hello Everyone,

    If we have not had the chance to meet yet,  I began in mid-November at SLO County DSS as the project manager for County Safe Parking and Blue Bag development and operations.  The County is working to create two more Safe Parking locations and we are looking for your assistance in identifying possible sites for consideration.  Below is a list of preferable criteria for a site, but we do not expect all criteria to be met for any one particular site:

• Size (reasonable amount of vehicle spaces to match the perceived need in the area)
• Securability (fencing with gates)
• Paved or improvable hard ground
• Access to water, sewer and electricity
• Proximity to county/city social services and shopping district
• Property that is owned by the state or a local government

To nominate a property for consideration, please send me the address, any information you can obtain about how the criteria above apply to that property, and a description of why you believe that location would be well suited as a Safe Parking location.  If a location you wish to nominate for consideration does not have a specific address and it is difficult to describe its location, I can call you to discuss in detail. 

If possible, I would like to receive all nominations by Friday, December 24^th so we can begin investigating the nominations at the beginning of the New Year.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Joe Dzvonik

Program Manager

Homeless Services Unit, Department of Social Services
County of San Luis Obispo
P.O. Box 8119
San Luis Obispo, CA  93403

(805) 781-1916 (ph)

(805) 781-1846 (fax)

Safe parking lot for people who live in their cars opens in San Luis Obispo

A new parking lot in San Luis Obispo County will serve people living out of their cars.

It opened at Kansas Avenue and Oklahoma Avenue, next to San Luis Obispo County's Joint Information Center offf of Highhway 1 in San Luis Obispo.

It's for those who live in their vehicles to have a safe place to sleep.

Initially, the lot will be open for three months. There is no size restrictions on vehicles but tent camping is not allowed.

The county is currently negotiating for a smaller adjacent site that can be used for tent camping. 

.

Those interested need to arrive between 5 p.m. and 9 p.m. daily to meet with security.

The site offers ADA accessible showers, restrooms, a hand washing station and dumpsters.

Safety measures added to SLO County Safe Parking Program after deadly fire on site

Rachel Showalter

/

 

Tiny Homes ******

September 2019 - Morro Bay Contributes the 93rd trailer through Hopes Village to a homeless Vet! Bravo!

Note! Because of fire and other safety issues in older mobile homes, this program has been suspended.

Hopes Village - Becky Jorgenson - 805-234-5478 Hopes Village is actively advocating for tiny homes as an alternative to traditional housing. They are currently searching for a large parcel of land on which to site the tiny homes. Currently they are working with Cal Poly SLO who is building two tiny  homes per year as part of their Construction program.

Cal Poly Students Build Tiny Houses

Hopes Village is happy to announce that Cal Poly Construction Management Students are building tiny cabins on wheels each quarter for the soon-to-be sustainable community village in SLO. Presently 2 classes are building 2 tiny houses - one quarter the foundation is built - the next quarter the walls. What a great way to teach young people to take care of our own! Thanks for the update Becky Jorgenson of Hopes Village!

From KSBY News, March 7, 2019

Tiny Homes now Allowed in some San Luis Obispo Backyards

San Luis Obispo homeowners can now legally bring tiny homes on wheels onto their property.

In November, the San Luis Obispo City Council approved an ordinance allowing tiny homes in city limits. The ordinance defined tiny homes as being no larger than 400 square feet excluding loft areas. The home must also be installed on a trailer that is registered with the DMV.

A nonprofit called SmartShare Housing Solutions says the first applicant is expected to meet with city planners to get the permit process started.

Tiny homes have been a major topic in cities across the country, including San Luis Obispo. They could provide an affordable housing option for many people amid the housing crisis across California.

SmartShare Housing says San Luis Obispo could be a model for other communities across the state and beyond.

According to the nonprofit, the homes could cost anywhere from $50,000 to $100,000 depending on the type of unit and the lot.

Posted in Facebook March 6, 2021

LA is making the process of building backyard homes faster with new, pre-approved designs.

The City of Los Angeles now has a variety of pre-approved designs that people can choose from to speed up securing permits to build backyard homes.The new initiative gives homeowners access to 20 pre-approved designs available online from 10 different companies. Those who choose a pre-approved layout will be able to reduce the review process from up to 6 weeks to as little as 1 day.

One of the companies whose designs were approved for the project is LA-Mas, which also leads the Backyard Home Project - a program meant to incentivize homeowners to become affordable housing providers by helping them build and rent out backyard homes to people with Section 8 vouchers.

Easy to Build Shelters Help Cities Quickly Provide Cover for the Homeless

Officials in Tocoma,Washington are using these shelters to get a roof over people's heads quickly while they wait for more permanent housing. Originally built for disaster relief, these shelters from Pallet cost between $3500 to $7500 depending on size and additions. 

www.fastcompany.com/90365347/pallet-shelters-let-cities-offer-quick-housing-to-the-homeless

Housing Solutions in the State 

These solutions are included because, even though they are not being persued yet in San Luis Obispo and the surrounding areas, it is important for local non-profits, cities, businesses, and politicians to be aware that solutions are possible.

Bellflower Announces Plans for Temporary Homeless Shelter

Plans are continuing to establish a temporary shelter for 50 people in an 18,000 square-foot empty commercial building at 8833 Cedar St, which the city plans to rent for $11,000/month.

Habitat for Humanity and local contractors will help modify the structure, adding plumbing, showers, and partitions to separate sleeping areas for men, women, and families.

A completion date of December has been suggested, although COVID may have affected plans. Update expected.

Los Angeles Just Opened a Tiny Home Village to House the Homeless

Built in just 13 weeks, a colorful village of 39 tiny homes opened in Los Angeles earlier in February. Located in North Hollywood, the Chandler Boulevard Bridge Home Village was designed and built by Lehrer Architects and the City's Bureau of Engeneering. It is managed by the Hope of the Valley Rescue Mission and is currently filled to capacity since its Februauy 2 opening.

A Second Tiny Homes Village

is now being opened in North Hollywood.

One of the state's largest Tiny Homes communities was being opened at Alexandria Park in North Hollywood in late April. This village is much larger than the Chandler Boulevard Tiny Homes village which opened in February with 39 homes and 85 beds. The Alexandria Park Tiny Homes village has 103 units and 200 beds.

The windowed , 64-square foot dwellings cost around $8,000 each and have 2 beds, heat, air conditioning, and a small desk and a door that can be locked. Residents in the colorful communities get meals, have access to showers, laundry facilities, housing navigation, case management, mental health help and job training and placement, according to Hope of the Valley Rescue Mission, which is managing the village.  (Thanks Facebook)

Lately, many new, unusual, and innovative low-cost  homes can be found on Facebook or by using Google.

Conestoga Huts

This is a dynamic new approach to homelessness that started in Eugene, Oregon. Based on the iconic Conestoga wagons of the old West, each lockable 60 sq. ft. shelter, costing about $2500.00, can provide an insulated dwelling for homeless people. Bathrooms and showers must be provided in addition, as well as a community kitchen and common area for dining and socialization.  Outreach can be provided also, assisting those in the community with  health issues, job searches and assistance with mental health and drug rehabilitation. 

The huts are quickly and easily assembled.