Homeless organizations experiencing high call volume as residents face eviction in Isla Vista

ISLA VISTA, Calif. - Since the eviction notices went out to tenants at an apartment complex in Isla Vista earlier this year, local homeless organizations are getting inundated with calls from concerned tenants.

Hundreds of tenants live at the CBC and Sweeps apartment complex in Isla Vista.

But since the eviction notice went out in March 16, emotions have been running high.

The notice stated that a substantial remodel is planned.

And everyone has 60 days to leave following a change of property ownership.

Marcos Aguilar of the Isla Vista Community Services Board is concerned about the tenants.

He’s says some have already moved out.

Others are still in progress.

“The concern is that most of these individuals don’t have the income to meet Santa Barbara is very high rent needs a ton of folks could be homeless," said Aguilar. 

Now several nonprofit organizations including PATH Santa Barbara are getting busy with calls from concerned tenants.

"We might start seeing impacts here and the downtown … here at Path … at other shelters … because of that lack of affordable housing," said outreach coordinator Odin Dailo of PATH Santa Barbara.

Dailo said the concern isn’t just for individuals being evicted.

"It could be families ... and if they don’t have the kind of support net work to … you know find them another place … They’re going to be getting either onto the streets or into a shelter … which are already at capacity," said Dailo.

Aguilar said one of the concerns is where the kids at this apartment complex will go to school.

"People renting here are multi generational families ... that’s another huge factor students who might have to change school in districts or not have a District not have a home where do they go to school," said Aguilar.

While PATH Santa Barbara is currently at full capacity, the organization is working with other nonprofits to figure out how they can help tenants in need of their services.

"We’re doing a lot of work with the city to try and advocate for an increase in Day Center’s interim housing," said Dailo.

If you would like to support PATH Santa Barbara in their efforts to help those with housing needs call: 805-884-8481.