The San Jose police headquarters parking lot now houses a new interim housing site, thanks to the efforts of city and nonprofit leaders. The quick-build project was completed in just a year and a half, and now provides a home to 96 unhoused individuals, including Juan Bonales. Bonales, who has been homeless for some time, expressed his gratitude for his new home and the opportunities it presents, saying, “It’s a shattered dream that’s coming true…Just a place to rest and a place to be able to clean up.”
The units are pre-fabricated and come equipped with a desk, air conditioning, a bed, and a bathroom. The site also includes laundry facilities and a kitchen. The quick-build model allows for faster construction and lower costs, making it a promising solution for San Jose’s homelessness crisis.
Half of the units at the new site will be reserved for members of the Goodwill of Silicon Valley’s STRIVE program, which provides employment opportunities for the unhoused to clean and beautify the city. Trish Dorsey, the vice president of Mission Services for Goodwill of Silicon Valley, spoke about the positive impact this new housing site will have, saying, “This is going to just explode with impact…for the residents that we’re serving but for the community at large.” Neil Chand, who spearheaded the STRIVE program, is also involved in the effort.
San Jose has already completed or has under construction 700 similar Interim housing site units, with another 300 on the way. All the projects have been built on public land, and this new site serves as a second chance for individuals like Bonales to get back into society and start working.
San Jose’s focus on quick-build interim housing projects like this one is a promising sign for the future of homelessness solutions in the city. Mayor Matt Mahan highlighted the benefits of the quick-build model, explaining that it takes only 1.5 years to build these units on average, compared to nearly 5 years for more traditional affordable housing, and at about one-seventh the cost per door. This approach offers a more efficient and cost-effective way to address the pressing issue of homelessness in San Jose.
With the success of this and other interim housing projects, it’s clear that San Jose is moving in the right direction when it comes to tackling homelessness. By providing not only housing, but also employment opportunities through programs like STRIVE, the city is making a significant impact on the lives of its unhoused population. It’s a reminder that by working together, city leaders and community organizations like Goodwill of Silicon Valley can make a real difference in the lives of those most in need.