Disappearing federal cash means two women’s shelters are facing future deficits.

Shawn Stone, CEO of Community Human Services, came with hat in hand to the city councils of Carmel and Del Rey Oaks recently looking for help. Despite the success of the nonprofit’s two shelters for women and families – Casa de Noche Buena in Seaside and Shuman HeartHouse in Monterey – they are both running out of money.

Besides those two, CHS operates a youth shelter in Monterey for 18- to 24-year-olds and is contracted with the City of Salinas and County of Monterey to run the SHARE Center in Salinas. The latter two have funding, but funding for the women’s shelters is running out.

The women’s shelters derive the majority of their operating costs from federal and state subsidies, from 60-70 percent, Stone says. Over the past two years, that money has reduced steadily. CHS is expecting a 40-percent funding gap for the shelters in fiscal year 2026-2027, growing up to nearly 80 percent in 2028-2029.

Each shelter costs from $1 million to $1.2 million annually to operate. Most of the money goes to pay for employees who help shelter guests secure housing. Currently about 75 percent of guests find either permanent or temporary housing, well above the industry average, Stone says.

“We have proven successful outcomes. It’s quite sad to see these services reducing or dissolving,” Stone says.

While Pacific Grove, Monterey, Salinas and the County of Monterey Department of Social Services have contributed funds, other cities have shared that they are facing their own financial challenges. Stone is looking for new partnerships and hopes the community will contribute to keep the shelters operating.