Good Samaritan Shelter helping homeless to keep cool during heat wave

LOMPOC, Calif. – In the midst of the heatwave in the Central Coast, Good Samaritan Shelter is taking action to make sure its clients are staying cool.

The homeless community is taking a hard hit, as temperatures are rising in Santa Barbara County.

Clients at Good Samaritan are avoiding the outdoors and staying inside shelters across the county.

Staff members at the shelter say the homeless population is vulnerable to the heat, and want to avoid heat related illnesses. 

So they decided to take extra measures, to make sure everyone in the facility is hydrated.

They are also providing air conditioning inside their shelter, as well as educating them about what to do on hot days like these.

“If they have to leave the facility, make sure to plan extra time for that travel,” said Good Samaritan Lompoc Director Brian Halterman. “To provide extra time for the breaks and shade.”

The shelter said if you see a homeless person without water, give them a water bottle if you have one.