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Shovels in Ground For 40 Prado

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After years of fundraising, as well as shoring up political capital, not to mention the deal to actually find a suitable site, construction will begin on a new regional Homeless Services Center.

The groundbreaking was held in the City of SLO at 40 Prado Rd. on Nov. 6.

Construction on the $5.4 million project – designed to include 100 beds for homeless individuals and families – is set to start in January 2017 and last throughout the year.

As with the current Prado Day Center and Maxine Lewis Memorial Shelter, 40 Prado will be operated by the Community Action Partnership of SLO County (CAPSLO). Timing of the groundbreaking comes as CAPSLO celebrates its 50th anniversary.

A list of services CAPSLO intends to provide, according John Spatafore, a local attorney and civic leader who’s led the campaign to build a new homeless services center in SLO, include: drug, alcohol and mental health therapy; medically fragile care services; supportive services for veterans; education and vocational job training opportunities and tutoring for homeless children and young adults.

Organizers hope to be open by Thanksgiving 2017, with other services – highlighted in a press statement from the City of SLO – to include, “a full kitchen facility with cooking classes, laundry facilities, a children’s play area, daytime shower and locker facilities, pet kennels, and a learning center with computers.

The Center will also provide office space for case managers and staff. The Safe Parking Program will also be expanded at 40 Prado to allow residents a safe place to park their vehicle and live while they engage in case management services to successfully transition into permanent housing.”

The Safe Parking Program was a compromise measure enacted several years ago after the City enacted a stringent no overnight parking ordinance aimed at homeless people in their R.V.’s or cars.

Fundraising to make up that $5.4 million came over long time collection of donations and grants from public-private partnerships, community groups and individuals. The City of SLO allocated $250,000 in a General Fund grant and $125,000 in Community Development funds.

“Over 80 percent of the $5.4 million raised came from the community,” said Spatafore, as president of the Homeless Foundation of San Luis Obispo County.
Approximately 200 people attended the groundbreaking ceremony, including Congressional Rep. Lois Capps, state Assemblyman Katcho Achadjian, County Supervisor Debbie Arnold and SLO Mayor Jan Marx. Photos submitted.

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