Basic Needs Center
Welcome to the Basic Needs Center!
If you are having trouble affording basic needs such as housing, access to food, hygiene supplies, and more, please fill out this form!
If you have an urgent need, please email basicneeds@cuesta.edu.
There are also many resources in the community for immediate support, such as the Central Coast Hotline 800-783-0607, and the SLO Food Bank.
What are Basic Needs?
We define Basic Needs as the essential resources that impact your holistic health, belonging, persistence, and overall well-being. It is an interconnected ecosystem that includes:
As such, we refuse to accept hunger, homelessness, and all other basic needs injustices as part of our college and community.
WE BELIEVE BASIC NEEDS is JUSTICE FOR ALL
Community resources in San Luis Obispo County include:
- San Luis Obispo Food Bank – use the food locator to find distribution centers near you!
- Transitions Mental Health - A non-profit organization dedicated to eliminating stigma and promoting recovery and wellness for people with mental illness through work, housing, community, and family support services.
- SLO Noor Foundation - provides free medical, dental, and vision care for uninsured, low-income individuals who qualify for the clinic’s services.
- CAPSLO – utility assistance, childcare, minor home repair, health services connection and navigation, and more.
- County-wide resources for utility assistance, children and family support, and food assistance
Housing resources and homeless services in the community include:
- 5 Cities Homeless Coalition - provides wrap-around services including case management and direct financial assistance – with a special emphasis on housing stability.
- ECHO - North County facilities that provide meals and a safe and secure overnight shelter to meet the immediate needs of families and individuals in our community who are facing hunger and homelessness.
- 40 Prado - 365 days per year facility that helps individuals and families improve their health and stability and move them towards self-sufficiency.
For more resources or more information on houselessness support services available at Cuesta and in the community, please visit our resources for houseless students page.
Cuesta Students can also access the SSSP HUB on their Canvas Dashboard for immediate access to resource information. For help with resources not listed or if you live outside of San Luis Obispo County, please email basicneeds@cuesta.edu.
All links to off-campus resources are for informational purposes only and the college does not make claims or guarantees about the services offered.
Want to connect with other students for ride shares, child care, or other services?
Check out our new student to student posting board!
Jack DePuy, Basic Needs Coordinator
Room 5104B SLO Campus