San Luis Obispo County is asking residents to help decide how to spend an estimated $3 million in federal funding through its 2027 Community Development Needs Assessment Survey.
According to Marge Castle, the county's Homeless Services Division Program Manager, the public feedback will help county leaders distribute funding.
List of priorities:
- Affordable housing
- Public and housing services
- Community facilities
- Neighborhood improvements
"We're asking the community to tell us what's most important," Castle said. "You know, $3 million sounds like a lot of money, but when you're looking at a variety of services and projects, then it can go very quickly."
The survey allows residents to rank priorities in order of importance and add goals they feel need to be addressed. Castle said this input will help the county prioritize goals established two years ago and assist with the county's 2027 Annual Action Plan, which is part of its overall 2025-29 Consolidated Plan.
"So we want to make sure that we're spending it in the most impactful way," Castle said.
The survey deadline is Oct. 13.
San Luis Obispo local Ben Lowrey said while he would like to see money used on roads like Highway 101, he appreciates that the county is seeking public input.
"I think that a lot of times people don't feel heard, whether it's on the national stage or local stage," Lowrey said. "I mean, even you asking me, do I think that the city is going to see this and actually maybe make a change to what I would want, I don't think so. But I think if enough voices come together, that there could be some kind of change."
Click here for a link to the survey. Results will be presented to the San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors on Dec. 8.
