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5cities Homeless Coalition

EIN 27-0413593 · Grover Beach, CA

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair56 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

5CITIES HOMELESS COALITION (5CHC) IS TRANSFORMING LIVES IN SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY, CALIFORNIA, FROM AVILA BEACH TO NIPOMO. 5CHC STRENGTHENS THE COMMUNITY BY MOBILIZING RESOURCES, FOSTERING HOPE, AND ADVOCATING FOR THE HOMELESS AND THOSE FACING HOMELESSNESS. THROUGH COLLABORATION AND LEADERSHIP 5CHC IS BUILDING AN ENGAGED COMMUNITY THAT FULLY UNDERSTANDS THE COMPLEXITIES OF HOMELESSNESS AND ACTIVELY SHARES THE RESPONSIBILITY OF CREATING AND IMPLEMENTING SOLUTIONS TO REDUCE IT.

Income
$5.4 million
Spending
$5.4 million
Spent on programs
81%
Reserves
0.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 77%
Employees
69
Volunteers
226
Highest pay
$126,684, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 56 out of 100. Higher than 27% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 32% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 11% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    81% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    13 of 13 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (3)
  1. $1.2 million spent. THE HOUSING SUPPORT PROGRAM SERVES THOSE WHO ARE HOMELESS OR AT RISK OF LOSING HOUSING IN SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY. IT PROVIDES CASE MANAGEMENT, RENTAL AND DEPOSIT ASSISTANCE, INFORMATION AND REFERRAL TO COMMUNITY SERVICES, COMPREHENSIVE NEEDS ASSESSMENT, IDENTIFICATION OF BARRIERS TO SUCCESS, AND DEVELOPMENT OF AN IMMEDIATE ACTION PLAN. VISITORS TO 5CHC'S OFFICE ARE PROVIDED ACCESS TO COMPUTERS, INTERNET, PHONE CHARGING, MAILING ADDRESS, AND FOOD AND HYGIENE SUPPLIES. THE PROGRAM ALSO SERVES VETERANS WHO ARE HOMELESS OR AT RISK OF LOSING HOUSING THROUGH A JOINT EFFORT WITH GOOD SAMARITAN SHELTER TO PROVIDE SUPPORTIVE SERVICES FOR VETERAN FAMILIES (SSVF). THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS PROVIDES FUNDING FOR THIS PROGRAM.
  2. $2.0 million spent. THE IMMEDIATE NEEDS PROGRAM ASSISTS HOMELESS AND LOW-INCOME FAMILIES WHO RESIDE IN THE FIVE CITIES AREA (ARROYO GRANDE, PISMO BEACH, GROVER BEACH, SHELL BEACH, AVILA BEACH) WITH FUNDS TO ADDRESS THEIR IMMEDIATE NEEDS AND MOVE THEM TO SELF-SUFFICIENCY, HOME STABILITY, AND ECONOMIC IMPROVEMENT. ASSISTANCE IS USED FOR UTILITIES, FUEL, AUTO REPAIRS, FOOD, CLOTHING, AND UNPAID BILLS PAID DIRECTLY TO APPLICABLE VENDORS ON BEHALF OF PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS. THE HOMELESS YOUTH PROGRAM MATCHES A CASE MANAGER WITH UNACCOMPANIED YOUTH AGED 16-24 TO PROVIDE EDUCATION, CONNECTION, AND SERVICES SUCH AS IMMEDIATE NEEDS, HOUSING, AND DEVELOPMENT OF AN INDIVIDUALIZED ACTION PLAN TO ASSIST THEM IN LIVING INDEPENDENTLY, MAINTAINING STEADY EMPLOYMENT, AND CONTINUING THEIR EDUCATION. THOSE ENROLLED IN 5CHC'S CASE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM ARE OFFERED ADDITIONAL GUIDANCE AND ADVOCACY FOR OBTAINING AND RETAINING PUBLIC BENEFITS SUCH AS SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME (SSI), SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY INSURANCE (SSDI), CALFRESH, AND OTHER ASSISTANCE. PARTICIPANTS ARE ENCOURAGED TO LEARN FINANCIAL LITERACY AND BUDGETING.
  3. $305,893 spent. THE WARMING CENTER PROVIDES AN OVERNIGHT WARMING CENTER DURING THE WINTER MONTHS WHEN TEMPERATURE PREDICTIONS ARE AT OR BELOW 38 DEGREES OR THERE IS RAIN POTENTIAL OF 50% OR MORE FROM NOVEMBER THROUGH APRIL ANNUALLY. THOSE STAYING AT THE WARMING CENTER ARE PROVIDED MEALS AND LAUNDRY SERVICES AND MAY ARRIVE BY 5:30PM AND LEAVE BY 7AM THE FOLLOWING DAY.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending June 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since August 2009.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 21, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.