Santa Barbara officials, church leaders talk homelessness before winter cold season

Nearly 69% of the homeless population in Santa Barbara County lives in their cars. Leading into the rainy and cold season, city officials are looking to partner with churches to open their doors to the homeless.  “Along East Beach, someone folds a blanket around their shoulders and wonders, ‘where will I sleep tonight,’” said Wayne Mellinger, board member of the Clergy and Laity United for Economic Injustice, or CLUE, Santa Barbara. Mellinger led an opening prayer at the event moderated by Santa Barbara City Councilman Oscar Gutierrez and co-hosted by CLUE Santa Barbara on Thursday evening at the David Gebhard Public Meeting Room on Garden Street. Wayne Mellinger, board member of the Clergy and Laity United for Economic Injustice, or CLUE, Santa Barbara, delivers opening prayer at the event moderated by Gutierrez and co-hosted by CLUE Santa Barbara. (Photo by Angel Corzo/Santa Barbara News-Press) Representatives from multiple faith groups and churches across the city f