Furnishing Futures emerged from the shared vision of two compassionate individuals determined to address the housing crisis in San Luis Obispo County, particularly among seniors. Originally established as the SLO Senior Housing Foundation, Inc., under the guidance of Founding Director Liam Bennett, our organization embarked on a mission to research and address housing needs focusing on South County.
Through our research, we discovered a crucial gap: many families moving into new homes lacked basic furniture and household items, leaving them with beautifully empty apartments.
Simultaneously, contractor Ken Payne proposed an innovative solution: repurposing furniture discarded by hotels during renovations. This collaboration led Furnishing Futures to partner with local hotels and organizations, swiftly amassing enough furniture to furnish multiple homes.
In 2023, Furnishing Futures furnished approximately 50 homes, aiding Coastal Community Church members and individuals referred by agencies and non-profit organizations. Transitioning into 2024, we restructured and rebranded to better align with our mission. Now known simply as Furnishing Futures, our organization represents a voluntary partnership between local churches and social service agencies, dedicated to supporting housing initiatives and providing essential furniture to those in need.
At Furnishing Futures, our commitment remains resolute: delivering hope and comfort to individuals and families in transition. We invite you to join us in our mission to make a positive impact on our community. Together, let's build a brighter future, one home at a time.