Seaside working to meet bathing, laundry needs of unhoused individuals in the city

SEASIDE, Calif. (KION-TV) -- The City of Seaside is in talks to kickstart a pilot project that would meet the bathing and laundry needs of unhoused people in the city.

Talks are underway among members of the city's Homeless Commission to work with a non-profit to provide mobile hygiene services.

The talks are preliminary but Family and Community Support Practitioner Derrick Elder said potential costs for the program would be around $185,000.

Elder said the potential non-profit partner, Refresh Start, suggested a pro-rated serve that could operate one day a week for $500 a day.

Homeless advocates argue homeless individuals who are clean and well groomed are "more comfortable seeking and holding" medical appointments and said "being well-groomed helps to remove obstacles and judgements" for the homeless.

They also call the absence of showers and clean clothes a significant problem for the homeless to be able to find and keep jobs.

Elder said there's hope they can also partner with other cities to bring mobile hygiene services on as a county-wide project.

Regardless, plans are very preliminary but the hope is the city and possibly others can get this done to help the homeless.

It's unclear when the commission will make the pitch to city council members.

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