San Benito, California – A recent report from the San Benito County Civil Grand Jury is calling for almost a doubling of annual funding for the county’s only homeless shelter, just one week after county supervisors paused additional financial support. The report highlights the critical yet inadequate role that the H.O.M.E. Resource Center plays in addressing homelessness in the area.
The 19-member grand jury determined that while the shelter provides essential temporary housing and meals, it is not effectively meeting the complex needs of the local homeless population, which often includes individuals facing mental health and substance use issues. Released on June 17, the report emphasizes that achieving stable housing requires ongoing efforts and support.
During a point-in-time count conducted in January 2024, 621 individuals were identified as homeless, either living on the streets or residing in the shelter. The H.O.M.E. Resource Center operates year-round at nearly full capacity with only 44 beds available. It is managed by Community Homeless Solutions, a nonprofit based in Monterey, under a $500,000 contract. The center operates 24 hours a day from November to April but has limited hours from 5 p.m. to 8 a.m. during the warmer months.
The grand jury’s findings indicated that reducing operational hours during the summer months has led to staff turnover and diminished services for those in need. The cessation of full-time operations in May results in layoffs and disrupts case management and housing navigation services that are crucial for clients.
To address these challenges, the report recommends that both the city of Hollister and San Benito County allocate an additional $400,000 to ensure the shelter can maintain full-time operations year-round. The recommendations are based on input from shelter staff and suggest accessing federal or state grants anticipated to be available in the 2026–27 fiscal year.
In addition to funding adjustments, the report suggests improving shelter facilities for daytime use within 45 days, enhancing outreach efforts, bolstering private donor engagement, and refining complaint tracking processes.
However, the outlook for these proposed changes seems bleak. On June 10, the San Benito County Board of Supervisors halted a planned expansion of the shelter—one that had been in development for several months—citing budget constraints. They abandoned a $20,000 plan to convert a computer room into a space for 12 additional beds and canceled a proposed $185,000 increase to the shelter’s funding.
The board members unanimously noted that the general fund, responsible for covering daily operations, did not have sufficient resources to facilitate the planned expansions.
Beyond shelter funding, the Civil Grand Jury report also pointed to issues regarding staffing within the county, highlighting concerns about outdated job postings and an overwhelmed Human Resources Department. It outlined that recruitment and hiring processes have been frequently delayed due to fiscal limitations, which further complicates the county’s ability to address homelessness effectively.
This ongoing situation underscores the pressing challenges faced by both the homeless community and those responsible for providing them with assistance in San Benito County.
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