City of San Luis Obispo to host panel on homelessness
—The City of San Luis Obispo and the Police Department are hosting a discussion on homelessness this month. It’s estimated there are more than 400 homeless individuals in the city. The meeting will be held June 27 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the community room of the San Luis Obispo County Library, located at 995 Palm Street.
Interested community members are encouraged to RSVP for the forum on Facebook. The community can also submit questions in advance through Open City Hall.
The facilitated discussion on Wednesday, June 27 will focus on answering common questions, addressing misconceptions and explaining how the city and county work with partner organizations to address homelessness. There will also be a review of what’s currently being done, and how the community can help. Community members are encouraged to submit questions to the panel ahead of the discussion on Open City Hall (www.slocity.org/opencityhall).
The city works with the county of San Luis Obispo and various nonprofit organizations to provide assistance to the homeless, but the county is the lead social services and behavioral health agency and regional leader in addressing the needs of the area’s homeless population. The county also receives federal and state funding from various sources to provide a wide range of these programs and services. City staff such as Police Officers, Firefighters, and Park Rangers respond to day-to-day medical and service calls.
Panel members include:
• Deanna Cantrell, Chief of Police, City of San Luis Obispo
• Anne Robin, Behavioral Health Director, San Luis Obispo County
• Laurel Weir, Coordinator for Homeless Services, San Luis Obispo County
• Grace McIntosh, Deputy Director, Community Action Partnership of San Luis Obispo
• Joe Madsen, Division Director, Transitions-Mental Health Association
• Tim Olivas, Undersheriff, San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office
• Alan Iftiniuk, CEO, French Hospital Medical Center
