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San Luis Obispo City Council approves countywide homelessness compact to strengthen regional coordination
Summary
The council unanimously approved a regional Homelessness and Affordable Housing Compact and accompanying services inventory that formalizes regional collaboration, seeks to improve funding competitiveness and aims to align jurisdictional efforts to reduce homelessness.
San Luis Obispo — The City Council voted unanimously March 17 to adopt a regional Homelessness and Affordable Housing Compact and a countywide homeless services inventory designed to deepen coordination among the seven cities and San Luis Obispo County.
Linda Belch, deputy director for adult and homeless services with the county, said the compact provides a voluntary framework to align policies, improve data sharing and make the region more competitive for state and federal dollars. "Approving the compact gives us structure without mandates," Belch told council, and she highlighted system changes since the county’s five‑year plan: increased exits to permanent housing, improved HMIS participation and tighter regional coordination.
Belch summarized recent metrics, attributing part of the progress to expanded shelter and supportive housing. She said the county saw a 31% reduction in unsheltered homelessness and a 19% reduction in overall homelessness between 2022 and 2024; early 2026 point‑in‑time results were described as indicating further declines (presenters said they expected additional decreases consistent with recent trends).
Councilmembers thanked county and local staff for the collaborative process. Public comment raised concerns about federal HUD proposals that could affect mixed‑status families in voucher programs; Geraldine (Jerry) Clemens urged local preparation to mitigate harms for children and families if HUD changes were implemented.
Councilmember Shoresman moved approval of the draft resolution and Vice Mayor Francis seconded. The clerk recorded a unanimous roll call vote, 5‑0, adopting the compact; participants said a joint signing ceremony would follow as other jurisdictions complete approvals.
Next steps: jurisdictions will continue to populate and update the regional services inventory annually, pursue joint funding opportunities and coordinate on data and encampment management as described in the compact.
