Good Samaritan helps homeless find shelter as Santa Maria High School Emergency Center shuts down

SANTA MARIA, Calif. - It's a busy day for staff workers at Good Samaritan.

The emergency shelter at Santa Maria High School is closing.

Organizers want to make sure everyone has somewhere to go.

"We moved all the veterans from our programs, both our SSVF program and our grant per diem program out of the shelters into noncongregate living. So they are now all housed in a hotel," said Kirsten Cahoon with Good Samaritan.

In addition to helping veterans, the agency is working with families to find alternative places to stay.

Some of them are moving into the RV's which Good Samaritan leased on its property a few weeks ago.

"We have three RV's on sight that we are housing new families in before we transition them back into the shelters and all three are full housing families and waiting for them to transition back into the shelter.," said Cahoon.

Good Samaritan is also preparing to help clients using the dining hall facility.

As clients make their transition, local businesses including Moxie Cafe are continuing their support to ensure their health and safety.

"We just want to keep them healthy. Our part is through the food program. We're going to keep feeding them three times a day," said Robert Grimmesey with Moxie Cafe.

"They're doing great. They're really enjoying it. They feel spoiled which they deserved. We've partnered with the Moxie so they're getting amazing meals from them," said Cahoon.

Good Samaritan hopes to eventually transition all of the veterans from hotels to housing.