Lumina Alliance housing

Lumina Alliance offers short and long term housing solutions for survivors fleeing sexual and intimate partner violence.

Emergency shelter

  • Lumina Alliance provides survivors of intimate partner violence or sexual assault / abuse and their children with a safe, confidential space for healing and recovery. Families who live in the shelter receive personalized care and advocacy during their stay. Caring, trained staff members strive to meet every family’s individual needs during times of fear and uncertainty. Lumina Alliance operates three confidential safe houses. Two are located in North San Luis Obispo County and one is in San Luis Obispo.

  • Emergency Shelter is available for survivors of all genders and their children who are seeking safety and leaving an abusive relationship. Advocates evaluate each person’s unique circumstances to determine whether the survivor is eligible to stay in the safe house. Referrals and self-sufficiency services are offered to every survivor, even those who do not stay in a shelter. Services are available to all survivors, without regard to gender, race, color, national origin, sexual orientation, age, or disability. Cats and dogs may come with families into the shelter.

  • Call the 24-hour Crisis and Information line at (805) 545-8888 to speak with an advocate. The advocate will ask some questions to begin the process of determining if the emergency shelter is a good fit for you at this time. All calls are confidential.

  • During their stay at a Lumina Alliance shelter, residents have the opportunity to develop a plan to help them recover and achieve self-sufficiency. Services available to residents include therapy, self-sufficiency services, and provision of basic human needs like food and clothing.

  • Residents can stay in an emergency shelter for a maximum of 30 days, with the opportunity to apply for up to two 2-week extensions, for a total of 60 days. Extensions are not guaranteed.

Programs and projects supported by the City of San Luis Obispo funds are open and accessible to all otherwise qualified members of the public and without regard to race, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, or disability.

"There is always a new opportunity for a new beginning... There is always that little light at the end of the tunnel. You just have to follow it."

– Tony Vidaurri, Shelter Manager

Transitional housing

  • Lumina Alliance Transitional Housing is a client-centered transitional housing program for individuals/families who are homeless or in need of transitional housing as a result of fleeing intimate partner/domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and/or stalking.

    The 6 to 24-month program provides support services to survivors using a client empowerment model. The goal of Transitional Housing at Lumina Alliance is to assist clients in attaining emotional health, the development of safe and healthy lifestyles for independent living, and economic self-sufficiency as they prepare to move into permanent housing.

    We seek to meet these goals by offering advocacy services, employment assistance, counseling, legal services, children’s services, life skill groups, and assistance with obtaining permanent housing.

    Our follow-up services are made available for a minimum of three months after a client finishes the program.

  • Lumina Alliance’s Transitional Housing Program requires a referral from one of our programs such as counseling or our shelters. We also take referrals from community project partners. When a room becomes available we notify our community partners and accept referrals for clients that have experienced IPV of SA.  Using barriers identified by Housing and Urban Development we review applicants and select a candidate that falls within the group of most barriers to finding permanent housing.  

    Determination of acceptance into Transitional Housing will be made on a case-by-case basis, based on the following minimum criteria and guidelines. Applicant must be:

    • A survivor of intimate partner/domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and/or stalking.

    • At least eighteen years old or a legally emancipated minor.

    • Homeless or in need of transitional housing or other housing assistance as a result of fleeing an abusive situation and where emergency shelter services or other crisis intervention services are unavailable or insufficient.

    • Referred from another Lumina Alliance program or from one of our project partners.

    • Low or very low income according to the current HUD guidelines.

    • Willing and desiring to participate in our Transitional Housing Program, including meeting with staff on a weekly basis and signing a rental agreement/contract.

    • Willing to create an individualized safety and self-sufficiency plan with the assistance of Transitional Housing staff.

    • Able to live peacefully in a community without receiving supervision 24 hours per day; 7 days per week.

    If you are one of our community partners, and would like to be alerted when a transitional housing unit becomes available, please call our 24hr Crisis and Information Line: (805 ) 545-8888

  • Lumina currently has transitional housing units in San Luis Obispo, Paso Robles, and Grover Beach.

    Rents are based on 30% of the tenant’s monthly income. All units are non-smoking, firearms-free, partially furnished, and subject to occupancy restrictions. Restraining orders are preferred for residents.

    For more information contact Lumina Alliance at (805) 781-6400

"My stay at the shelter was an amazing experience. It gave me the time and resources I needed to get myself back on my feet and better provide for myself and my child. The shelter managers will always have a special place in my heart!”

— Anonymous Lumina client