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FARO Center Ribbon Cutting June 24, 2024. Representatives from local government, community organizations, and service providers cut the ceremonial ribbon in recognition of the FARO Center opening.
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Fostering Access, Resilience, and Opportunity (FARO) Center Opens!

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The City of Santa Barbara, in partnership with the Santa Barbara Alliance for Community Transformation (SB ACT), is proud to announce the opening of the Fostering Access, Resilience, and Opportunity (FARO) Center. The FARO Center, aptly named "Faro," which means lighthouse in Spanish, will serve as a beacon of hope for individuals experiencing homelessness in our community. Operating five days a week during daytime hours, it brings together a network of service providers to offer resources such as housing navigation, employment assistance, and behavioral health services in a centralized, one-stop-shop location. The FARO Center aims to help individuals move toward and maintain stable housing by providing these services in a safe and welcoming environment.

The City has entered a three-year lease agreement for a multi-story office building on the 600 block of Chapala Street in Downtown Santa Barbara, designating it as a Daytime Navigation & Workforce Development Center. The Center will help reduce the impacts of homelessness by monitoring and addressing neighborhood impacts, providing ongoing outreach, and initiating clean-up efforts.

About the FARO Center
The FARO Center brings together a network of service providers to offer comprehensive support services in a centralized place. These services include:

  • Case Management: Personalized support to navigate various services.
  • Documentation Readiness: Assistance with acquiring essential documents such as birth certificates, driver’s licenses, and Social Security cards.
  • Workforce Development: Life skills building, job search assistance, and employment support, with resources provided by the Santa Barbara City Public Library.
  • Housing Referrals: Guidance and referrals for stable housing options.
  • Health and Mental Health Support: Access to healthcare and mental health services.

By offering these essential services in a safe and welcoming environment with consistent service hours five days a week, the FARO Center eliminates the need for clients to navigate multiple service providers in various locations, ensuring greater accessibility and support for individuals in need. Additional client meetings will also be available by appointment only outside regular business hours.

The Need for the FARO Center
According to the 2024 Point-in-Time Count, there are approximately 987 people experiencing homelessness in the City of Santa Barbara, marking an increase for the first time in three years. This growing demand underscores the critical need for day-to-day basic needs and supportive services for our unhoused population. The Center addresses this need by offering a daytime refuge where individuals can access essential services, thus aiding in their transition from street-level homelessness to stable living situations. Homelessness impacts everyone. The Center will bring dignity to people experiencing homelessness and lessen the impacts on businesses and the neighborhood. 

A Collaborative Effort
The FARO Center is staffed by SB ACT and supported by key service provider partners with proven success in reducing homelessness. SB ACT will coordinate outreach and case management support at the center using the Coordinated Entry System (CES) to identify individual needs and facilitate access to interim and permanent housing solutions. Consultations with individuals who have lived experience in homelessness will help expand and adapt the FARO Center's services to better meet the needs of unsheltered individuals and families. SB ACT is dedicated to empowering the community to compassionately engage with marginalized individuals, focusing on improving their physical, spiritual, emotional, and mental well-being.

FARO Center Hours
Monday through Friday 
9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Additional client meetings will be available by appointment until 5 p.m. on weekdays.

Join us in celebrating the culmination of years of hard work and collaboration among many partners, City staff, community members, and individuals affected by homelessness. Together, we can make a difference!

For more information about the FARO Center, visit SantaBarbaraCA.gov/Faro-Center and sbact.org/farocenter.