The city's recent passage of a state-mandated housing element has ensured that the Los Ba&#241;os Rescue Mission will remain at its current location for the foreseeable future.</p><p>"We're happy about it," said Steve Hammond, the facility's executive director.</p><p>The mission, which opened at 1231 Fourth St. in 2008, was opposed by neighbors who were fearful the facility would attract unsavory people and crime into their neighborhood. The city allowed the mission to remain at the location until Los Ba&#241;os' housing element was completed.</p><p>The housing element is designed for cities to provide people of all income levels with areas where they can afford to reside. The element, which is mandated by the California Department of Housing and Community Development, also must include areas for homeless services.</p><p>The city approved its housing element last month.</p><p>Planning Director Paula Fitzgerald said although Fourth Street is not zoned to allow for homeless services the rescue mission was grandfathered in as an existing facility. She said the mission will be allowed to stay where it is as long as the building is not expanded.</p><p>Hammond indicated that the fears of those who opposed the rescue mission's current location were largely unwarranted.</p><p>"So far, so good," he said. "We've had no complaints to police."</p><p>Hammond said the mission has also not experienced any problems from its users it has not been able to handle itself.</p><p>The Los Ba&#241;os Rescue Mission is open from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday. It provides clothing to the needy and offers them breakfast and lunch.</p><p>Hammond said he wants to expand services to include temporary housing for men and various other programs that will help the poor. He would also like the mission to purchase the building it's in, which went into foreclosure after its previous owner failed to make payments.</p><p>Hammond is just waiting for the money needed to complete his plans.</p><p>Last year the state announced that the Los Ba&#241;os Rescue Mission was awarded a $1 million grant. Hammond said California's budget problems have prevented the mission from getting the money.</p><p>Early this week Hammond was preparing to take a trip to Sacramento on Thursday to find out when the money can be released. There was no word on the outcome of his efforts before press time.</p><p>Hammond said the mission has seen more activity as a result of the recession, but how many people it serves is mostly seasonal.</p><p>"We are seeing 70 to 110 people a day," Hammond said. "It differs by season because of the farm laborers. In the summer our numbers drop off a little."</p><p>Hammond said the mission served almost 1,700 meals in January.</p><p>Enterprise reporter Corey Pride can be reached at 388-6563 or by e-mail at cpride@losbanosenterprise.com.