Shelter operators warn Seaside council of widening multi‑year funding gap; ask to be considered in budget

Sean Stone, chief operating officer of Community Human Services, told the Seaside City Council on Feb. 5 that two nonprofit shelters serving women and families on the peninsula face a growing funding shortfall that threatens services. "Our current and near term funding gap is ... just under $300,000" for Casa Noche Buena and roughly $650,000 for Schumann Hart House in the following fiscal year, Stone said during a joint presentation with Gathering for Women executive director Stacy Alzeebler Perkins.

Stone and Perkins said both shelters provide housing‑focused case management and wraparound services that produced better-than-average outcomes for exits to permanent housing — they reported about 50% exits to permanent housing at Casa Noche Buena and 57% at Schumann Hart House, figures the presenters contrasted with state benchmarks. "Compared to the state, very good outcomes," Stone said, adding that staffing is the largest operating cost.

The presenters laid out a multi‑year projection showing deeper deficits through 2029–30 unless new funding is found, saying the shortfalls reflect depleted grants and a special‑purpose fund that the organizations have used for community fundraising. "Without additional funding or system level support, reduction in service or capacity will occur," Perkins said; she described possible measures including reduced on‑site services, conversion to seasonal or overnight operations, or phased program closures.

Council members asked about current and past support from Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) allocations and options to reduce costs. Stone said the shelters will continue applying for CDBG and other government grants and that the programs were designed with staffing and comprehensive services to achieve their outcomes. "The vast majority is just staffing for both programs," he said when asked to explain the $1.2 million combined annual operating figure.

The shelter operators requested that council: consider the programs during the city's budget deliberations, explore potential bridge funding for FY2026–27, and help convene partnerships across cities and funders to preserve beds. Council members expressed appreciation for the services and asked staff to factor possible requests into the budget process. The groups did not present a specific dollar request for immediate action at the meeting; city staff said they would consider the presentations as part of upcoming budget work.

What happens next: Council did not take formal action at the meeting. Council members indicated they expect departments to evaluate possible budget adjustments and to consider the shelters' requests during the budget cycle.