San Jose plans to pay $ 113 million to convert four hotels into apartments to help solve the homelessness crisis.
Funding is expected to come from the state’s Homekey Program, which subsidizes emergency shelters from local governments and nonprofit organizations. Applications start on September 30th, individual funding can be granted 45 days after the application has been submitted. The Bay Area received approximately $ 200 million in potential funding in the second round of the Homekey project.
The San Jose City Council is expected to approve the filing of its motion on Tuesday.
Through a Cooperation initiative With the county and other partners, San Jose aims to accommodate 20,000 people by 2025. The conversion of four hotels – the Arena Hotel, Pacific Motor Inn, Pavilion Inn and Residence Inn – as well as a city-owned emergency shelter in the Junction of Branham Lane and Monterey Road would add 548 units. Non-profit living groups will help provide support services in permanent and temporary residential locations.
the Homeless Crisis the region has gotten worse in recent years, with the number of uninhabited people estimated at more than 6,000 in 2019 – the most recent number due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The five existing interim apartments in the city offer space for 300 people.
When funding is secured, the 89-unit Arena Hotel at 817 The Alameda will be a permanent residential project in partnership with Urban Housing Communities and HomeFirst.
Previous proposals to accommodate unoccupied residents have been rejected by neighboring residents and businesses.
District 6 Councilor Dev Davis is ready to address any concerns about the Arena Hotel project with a neighborhood advisory group: “(The advisory group) is a commitment to our neighbors that we don’t just put something here and walk away.”
Davis emphasized the importance of each of the five locations having access to support services.
“Everyone on the street has a problem,” she said. “I am of the opinion that every person must be connected to the services that are right for them, be it on site in the hotels or elsewhere.”
Downtown that the city works with PATH Ventures convert the Pacific Motor Inn at 455 South Second Street into 72 permanent units and will work with the Santa Clara County Housing Authority and the Bill Wilson Center to create 61 transition homes for uninhabited youth at the Pavilion Inn at 1280 North Fourth Street.
Sparky Harlan, CEO of the Bill Wilson Center, was enthusiastic about the partnership: “The location of the site is perfect for access to public transport and proximity to the district’s services.”
District 3 Councilor Raul Peralez is optimistic about introducing the new residential areas to his voters. “I’m no stranger to the challenges of getting community support for housing, but we have been quite successful in organizing our community. The first step is always to get in touch to make sure the community knows about the projects and to hold community meetings to discuss how they work and who is running them. “
The Santa Clara County Housing Agency will also work with the city to create permanent family homes at the 150-unit Residence Inn at 6111 San Ignacio Avenue. District 2 councilor Sergio Jimenez was not immediately available for comment.
The final location will be a 176-unit urban emergency shelter developed in collaboration with LifeMoves at the junction of Branham Lane and Monterey Road. The location is current a homeless camp this is the most common complaint that Matt Mahan, Councilor for District 10, receives in his office.
Mahan believes the new residential areas must be cost effective in order to leave funding for critical services.
“The county’s funds and resources really need to be devoted to mental health support, addiction treatment, professional training and placement. The kind of support services that give people a chance to get back on their feet, ”Mahan told San José Spotlight.
Last year, Santa Clara County received $ 63 million in homekey funding to develop a total of 364 units nationwide. That included $ 12 million to convert a 76-unit hotel, SureStay, in North San Jose into a permanent hotel affordable housing.
“It’s amazing how we can come together to achieve better results,” said Preston Prince, executive director of Santa Clara County’s Housing Authority.
Contact Kristen Pizzo at [email protected]
