San Luis Obispo County to turn safe overnight parking program into safe shower program for homeless

OCEANO, Calif. - San Luis Obispo County announced plans to change its current Oceano Coastal Dunes RV Park & Campground safe overnight parking program into a safe shower program. The new shower program is designed to help the homeless stay clean and fulfill some of their basic needs safely during the pandemic.

SLO County said the showers will be open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Mavericks Campground, located within the Coastal Dunes RV Park & Campground, at 1001 Pacific Boulevard, Highway 1 in Oceano.

The County's safe parking program was instated at the end of March and allowed homeless individuals a safe and clean place to park and rest overnight.

"Lack of access to showers increases the risk of developing diseases and can turn a relatively minor health problem into a serious illness,” said Dr. Penny Borenstein, County Health Officer. “This is especially true as we face COVID-19."

Parking for the showers will be limited to 30 minutes.

Everyone who comes to use the showers must follow site rules which include physical distancing of six feet from others, respectful behavior and no drug abuse.

The County said park staff will clean and disinfect the shower facilities on a regular basis.

Campground and County rangers will also monitor the shower sites and will be available in case of emergency.

SLO County said the safe shower site will only be open until the beginning of Stage 3 reopening under the State’s Resilience Roadmap.

For more updates on how SLO County is responding to COVID-19, visit ReadySLO.org. or call the recorded Public Health Information Line at (805) 788-2903.