Santa Barbara approves purchase of PATH shelter at 816 Casique to keep 100 beds open

Santa Barbara’s City Council unanimously approved a package of actions on Dec. 16 to acquire 816 Casique Street — the former PATH emergency shelter building — in a move intended to keep roughly 100 low-barrier shelter beds and related services operating in the Lower East Side.

City staff told the council the agreed purchase price is $3,750,000. Barbara Anderson, senior assistant to the city administrator and acting housing and human services manager, said staff recommended using Measure C funds for the acquisition and identified about $300,000 of immediate life-safety and accessibility repairs, including electrical work, kitchen equipment replacement and fire alarm and sprinkler battery backup. Anderson said the building contains about 24,423 square feet of usable area on a 23,682-square-foot site and that previous renovations (1974, 2002) left the facility with years of deferred maintenance.

The property is subject to existing operating covenants that require ownership and operation by a nonprofit shelter provider. Staff said the city must secure first and second amendments to those covenants before closing; the Board of Supervisors already approved county-level covenant changes on Dec. 9. Anderson said Mercy House has been approved as an interim shelter operator and will manage the transition with PATH so services continue through Dec. 31.

Councilmembers asked about the city’s long-term vision for the site and neighborhood concerns such as security and outreach. Anderson and Deputy City Administrator Anthony Valdez said staff envision stabilizing operations, improving on-site security and neighborhood relations, and later issuing an RFP for a permanent service provider that will coordinate wraparound services with partners including Cottage Health, street outreach teams and regional providers. Anderson said staff plan further inspections (accessibility, HVAC, plumbing, roof) and will prepare a full project-management list with Public Works and Facilities.

Councilmember Sneddon made the motion to approve all recommended actions; Councilmember Jordan seconded. The clerk recorded a unanimous vote in favor. The council directed staff to complete covenant amendments, finalize funding from Measure C, and proceed with escrow and close-of-sale steps so Mercy House can continue interim operations while the city develops long-term plans for the site.

What’s next: staff will complete the covenant amendments and escrow paperwork, carry out the immediate repairs identified in the assessments, and begin a public process for selecting a permanent operator and refining services at the facility.