Plans underway for old annex to shelter families

Current proposal calls for temporary shelters for 25 homeless families

SAN JOSE >> Plans to house up to 25 homeless families with children in temporary shelters next to the old San Jose City Hall annex are moving forward, with county supervisors slated to consider implementing them next month.

Supervisors last year rejected calls from San Jose city leaders and others to convert the old San Jose City Hall annex to housing for formerly homeless individuals and families. Instead, the county opted in September to demolish the building as part of a broader plan to overhaul the civic center and create a temporary housing community near the site until longterm plans for the City Hall are established.

Current plans, presented to supervisors at Tuesday’s meeting, would house 25 families in temporary trailers next to the old City Hall and Reentry Resource Center on Mission Street between North First and San Pedro streets. Trailers would be placed on top of existing parking spaces in a circular driveway between the two buildings.

The housing program is meant to be a short-term option for homeless families with children, who would be allowed to stay from 60 days to six months while they try to find their own housing or await placement in permanent housing, according to county staffers.

Each temporary trailer would be 8 feet by 16 feet in size and include beds, a sitting area, a microwave and a refrigerator. The project also would have a private office, wireless internet, community laundry and activity spaces, portable toilets and showers, security cameras and a 24hour staff on-site.

The area would be fenced off to create privacy and safe areas for children to play and would be actively patrolled by the Sheriff’s Department.

Supervisor Cindy Chavez emphasized the program is limited to families with children under the age of 18.

“We’re not accepting walk-up clients, which we make clear to all of our providers and the community as a whole,” Chavez said.

The program would be staffed with two case managers, and residents could

receive financial assistance for expenses such as apartment application fees, security deposits and movein costs.

Once the board approves final plans for the temporary housing community, it would take about six months to construct and prepare the project for habitation, said Office of Supportive Housing Director Ky Le.

The housing community likely would stay in place for about two years, depending on when plans for the Old City Hall are finalized, Le said. The county hasn’t authorized demolition yet.

One-time costs for equipment, site upgrades and construction of the housing units could reach $2.9 million, according to a county report, and annual operating costs could run as much as $1.3 million.

A more detailed implementation plan is slated to go before county supervisors for approval in November.

Meanwhile, county staffers are preparing a separate plan for a permanent supportive housing project at the Civic Center, although a site has not been identified and a project application has yet to be filed with the city of San Jose.