Image of the future site of the Welcome Home Village in San Luis Obispo. This is a parking lot with cars in stationary parked position. In the distance is the County Health building.

Fair Political Practices Commission Declares No Conflict of Interest for Supervisor Dawn Ortiz-Legg in Connection to Welcome Home Village

Author: Board of Supervisors
Date: 6/27/2024 11:00 AM

Fair Political Practices Commission reaches decision on conflict of interest on the part of Supervisor Dawn Ortiz-Legg in connection to the Welcome Home Village

The Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) has determined there is no conflict of interest on the part of Supervisor Dawn Ortiz-Legg in connection to the Welcome Home Village transitional housing project planned for the County's Health Campus in her neighborhood.

Out of an abundance of caution, Supervisor Ortiz-Legg requested a review by the FPPC prior to the Board of Supervisors hearing on the Welcome Home Village because she lives in the neighborhood near the proposed project. The Supervisor recused herself from any further involvement in decisions regarding the project until an official opinion was received from the FPPC.

Days after the Board of Supervisors voted to approve the Welcome Home Village project, Supervisor Ortiz-Legg received a response from the FPPC. The Commission stated that, based on several factors, Supervisor Ortiz-Legg was not "disqualified from taking part in the decisions."

"I look forward to ensuring the Welcome Home Village program is done with the utmost care for the surrounding neighbors and businesses while providing accountable, managed support for unhoused individuals," said Supervisor Ortiz-Legg.

Welcome Home Village is a supportive housing program that will be part of the County of San Luis Obispo's Health Agency Campus. It includes an 80-bed community with wrap-around services to help individuals transition from homelessness to stable housing. DignityMoves is developing it and will be managed by Good Samaritan Shelter. It will feature 34 interim units and 46 long-term supportive housing units. Funded by a $13.4 million grant from the State of California's Encampment Resolution Fund, the project is expected to begin site development this fall, with the first program participants being accepted in 2025.