New Report Highlights Challenges and Opportunities for San Luis Obispo County's Immigrant Communities
San Luis Obispo, CA – January 14, 2025 — A newly released report, “The Fabric of SLO County: Understanding the Diversity and Contributions of our Immigrant Community” sheds light on the reliance on immigrants for our economic stability, and challenges faced by immigrant families in San Luis Obispo County. The report, commissioned by local philanthropies and nonprofits, including The Community Foundation San Luis Obispo County, SLO County Board of Supervisors, Diversity Coalition San Luis Obispo County, First 5 San Luis Obispo County, and MUST! Charities aims to provide updated information on local immigration history and data on today’s immigrant communities. It will also guide public and private agencies in supporting the county’s immigrant population and addressing their unique needs.
There are almost 27,000 immigrants living in San Luis Obispo County who make up nearly 10% of the county’s population, with significant representation from Latin America, Asia, and Europe, according to Joel Diringer, of Diringer and Associates, author of the report. It emphasizes the ongoing barriers immigrants face in accessing healthcare, affordable housing, and social services, especially for undocumented residents. Additionally, the report highlights the underrepresentation of immigrants in standard statistical surveys, resulting in significant gaps in knowledge that affect policy and service planning. Nearly half of undocumented immigrants in San Luis Obispo County work in agriculture and construction. Immigrants comprise half of cooks and food preparation workers and a third of childcare workers.
"The immigrant communities in San Luis Obispo County are an integral part of our social and economic fabric," said Heidi McPherson, CEO of the Community Foundation on behalf of the consortium of funders. "The agricultural, construction, and hospitality industries are strengthened by the vital contributions of immigrant workers, whose skills and labor are integral to these sectors' success. Yet, these families face numerous barriers—from language challenges to lack of access to healthcare and housing. Our hope is that this report will provide policymakers, service providers, and community leaders with the data they need to make informed decisions to support these communities."
"Our goal in supporting this project is to create a community where everyone feels welcome and has the opportunity to thrive," said Dawn Ortiz-Legg, a member of the San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors. "Understanding the unique challenges faced by our immigrant neighbors is essential to building a stronger and more connected county. This report gives us the tools to make thoughtful decisions and ensure we recognize their significant contributions and offer access to the services they need."
This report is only a starting point for continued community discussion. The collaborative work of community leaders, policymakers, industries, and residents can ensure that these findings lead to meaningful positive change.
For more information about the report and to access the entire document in English and Spanish, please visit sloccf.org, or contact Leila Dufurrena, The Community Foundation San Luis Obispo County, (805) 543-2323, leila@cfsloco.org or Joel Diringer, Diringer and Associates, (805) 544-7722, joel@diringerassociates.com.
About The Community Foundation: The Community Foundation San Luis Obispo County is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization created by and for the people of San Luis Obispo County to provide local charitable giving. Since 1998, The Community Foundation has awarded over $78 million in grants and scholarships to nonprofit partners and local students. The Foundation’s charitable assets under management have grown to $87 million to provide support to all areas of our community in perpetuity. Learn more at www.cfsloco.org.
About the author: Joel Diringer, JD, MPH is a health policy expert working extensively on health access issues affecting children, low-income, immigrant, and farmworker populations for over 35 years. He partnered with UC Merced on a statewide farmworker health survey and a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation-funded project exploring farmworker health issues with farmworker advocates, growers, Medi-Cal plans and providers, policy experts and legislators. He was the project director working with a team of indigenous researchers on the San Luis Obispo County Mexican Indigenous Community Study (SLOMICS) of Mixtec speaking immigrants. More information can be found at www.diringerassociates.com.
