County expands safe overnight parking program to three locations 

Sites provide safe, clean spaces to park and sleep, plus bathrooms and hot showers

–The County of San Luis Obispo has expanded its safe overnight parking program to three sites to help homeless individuals meet basic needs during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The sites provide safe, clean spaces for individuals or families to park and sleep, as well as bathrooms and hot showers. The sites are open from 7 p.m. – 7 a.m. daily. If no participants arrive by 10 p.m., the site will close for the night.

Personnel on-site check in participants and ensure they have a safe environment throughout the night. Participants must agree to abide by site rules, including physical distancing (maintaining at least six feet from other people at the site), respectful behavior, and no drug use. Sites are open to vehicles only, and no tent camping is permitted.

“Homelessness and lack of access to showers and bathrooms increases the risk of developing diseases and can also turn a relatively minor health problem into a serious illness,” said Dr. Penny Borenstein, San Luis Obispo County Health Officer. “This is especially true as we face COVID-19. While it does not solve homelessness, this is a very good step to help our most vulnerable neighbors stay safe.”

Current locations include the Coastal Dunes RV Park & Campground (1001 Pacific Boulevard, Highway 1 in Oceano), and the SLO Veterans Hall (801 Grand Ave in San Luis Obispo). Sites are subject to change.

County personnel are monitoring use and assessing the need to continue these sites and/or establish additional locations. A regularly updated list of sites is available at ReadySLO.org and (805) 543-2444.

For updates on COVID-19 in SLO County, visit ReadySLO.org or call the recorded Public Health Information Line at (805) 788-2903. A staffed phone assistance center at (805) 543-2444 is available seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. for questions related to COVID-19 call (805) 788-2222.

Editor’s note: This story was updated Sept. 13, 2022, to omit the Los Osos Library. Overnight parking is no longer allowed there.

• Follow all local COVID-19 coronavirus news updates
• San Luis Obispo County COVID-19 website – readyslo.org

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The news staff of the Paso Robles Daily News wrote or edited this story from local contributors and press releases. The news staff can be reached at info@pasoroblesdailynews.com.