Despite concerns voiced by councilmembers, the homeless shelter run by People Assisting the Homeless (PATH) received funding from the Santa Barbara City Council recently. The funding was welcome, Director of Programs Shannon Brunner indicated during a visit to PATH in October, as the shelter serves a population with more intensive needs and also needs to retain staff.
PATH currently operates at 85 percent capacity, with up to 85 people per night, a number that varies daily. The city asked for seven beds to be held for people brought to PATH by law enforcement or City Net, and beds in the shelter supply a variety of needs: 20 beds with Cottage Hospital, 22 beds with County Behavioral Wellness, some for the City of Goleta, and pre-trial probation beds. Some other beds work in partnership with homeless service providers like SB ACT and others. The layout at PATH includes a dining room, a kitchen, a locker room for storage, and a computer room.
With the help of the continued funding, renovations at PATH for the women’s bathroom, new fire panels, and security cameras can proceed, as well as improved wages for employees.