County of San Luis Obispo Achieves Record-Breaking Year in Affordable Housing Development

Author: Homeless Services Division
Date: 8/14/2024 10:30 AM

County of San Luis Obispo added 199 affordable housing units in FY 2023-24, providing homes for up to 471 people.

San Luis Obispo, CA
-The County of San Luis Obispo proudly announces a record-breaking achievement in affordable housing development, with the completion of five major projects in the fiscal year (FY) 2023-2024. These projects have added 199 below-market value units to the local housing stock and are expected to house between 314 and 471 people. This surpasses the previous record set in FY 2018-19, when four housing communities containing 172 units were completed.

Over the last ten years, the County of San Luis Obispo has made substantial efforts to create more affordable housing for our community. Since July 2014, a total of 18 County-supported housing projects have been completed, adding 710 affordable units for very low, low, and moderate-income households.

"It's not one thing that will move the needle on the housing struggles in our region, but projects like Broad Street Place and Pismo Terrace create more options," said Matt Pontes, Chief Administration Officer for the County of San Luis Obispo. "We are committed to finding housing solutions for those facing challenges at all levels. It's not an easy task and it takes time, but these numbers indicate we are heading in the right direction."

Below is a list of the County-funded affordable housing projects completed in FY 2023-24:
• Templeton Place II - A 36-unit senior community in Templeton.
• Broad Street Place - A 40-unit housing community in San Luis Obispo.
• Rockview at Sunset - A 35-unit housing community in Morro Bay.
• The Apartments at Toscano - A 38-unit housing community in San Luis Obispo.
• Pismo Terrace - A 50-unit permanent supportive housing community in Pismo Beach.

The COVID-19 pandemic caused a temporary stall in the County's efforts, particularly evident in FY 2022-2023 when no new projects were completed. However, the County expects to continue its housing push, with seven more projects opening by June 30, 2025.

"After such a successful year, we usually see a few less productive years of housing development. However, we anticipate maintaining our momentum," said Tony Navarro, Program Manager for the County of San Luis Obispo's Homeless Services Division. "This is largely because of the prioritization of housing at all government levels, the community's strong will, and the incredible work done by our partners, notably the Housing Authority of San Luis Obispo, People's Self-Help Housing, and Paso Robles Housing Authority."

These numbers only reflect the housing projects that were financially supported by the County of San Luis Obispo. In addition to these, other affordable housing projects have been completed during this period, such as California Grand Manor Senior Apartments and select units in San Luis Ranch, which were not included in the county-funded metrics. These projects further contribute to the overall increase in the region's affordable housing inventory.

Since its creation in 2022, the County of San Luis Obispo's Homeless Services Division oversees the grant management that financially supports these affordable housing projects and other homeless services and programs. This milestone represents significant progress toward the County's goal to create 1,667 new units of affordable housing by 2027, as set by the San Luis Obispo Countywide Plan to Address Homelessness.

"Housing affordability and access are foundational to our mission to reduce homelessness," said Devin Drake, the County of San Luis Obispo's Department of Social Services Director. "These projects are not just buildings. For many of their residents, these communities serve as lifelines that create stability, dignity, and opportunities to thrive."

To learn more about the County's efforts in affordable housing and homelessness or to get involved, go to slohomeless.com.