County releases needs assessment report highlighting housing, public service needs
Survey shows affordable housing is top need in San Luis Obispo
– The County of San Luis Obispo has released the findings of the 2025 Community Development Needs Assessment Report. The report, prepared by the County’s Homeless Services Division within the Department of Social Services, was reviewed during a public hearing held by the San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors on Dec. 10.
The report outlines pressing housing and public service needs across the county and aims to guide the allocation of federal funding to address key community development priorities. The assessment process included 918 survey responses, marking a 264% increase from the previous year. It also incorporated input from five in-person workshops and one virtual session.
The survey asked respondents to provide demographic, work, and housing information and to rate 59 community activities based on their knowledge and experiences. Feedback will guide funding recommendations for housing and services from 2025 through 2029, utilizing federal grants provided by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Key findings from the report include:
- Affordable rental housing was identified as the highest community need, with 78% of respondents marking it as a high priority. Health care services, mental health services, homeless prevention, and homeless services followed.
- Of 738 respondents, 38% were classified as having low, very low, or extremely low incomes.
- Sixty-six percent of 918 respondents reported owning their primary residence, while 9.6% relied on friends, family, or assistance programs for housing.
- Single-family houses were the most common residence type, reported by 70% of respondents. Other types included apartments or lofts (8.5%), condos or townhomes (7.8%), and manufactured or mobile homes (5%).
- Among 453 respondents who sought housing since January 2020, 77% reported difficulties, with over 90% citing affordability as the primary barrier.
- More than half of respondents indicated spending 30% or more of their gross monthly income on housing, meeting the federal definition of being cost-burdened.
“We clearly heard from our community that it needs more affordable housing, health services, and homeless services,” said Marge Castle, program manager for the county’s Homeless Services Division. “This largely affirms much of the work already underway and will guide the strategic investments of federal funds for the next five years.”
The findings will inform the county’s 2025-2029 consolidated plan, which outlines funding priorities for federal community grant programs.
Public input will remain central to the process as the county finalizes its 2025 Action Plan, which will summarize funding recommendations. Selected proposals are expected to be announced in spring 2025, with community impacts anticipated by the end of next year.
The full report is available here.
