CONSTRUCTION UNDERWAY ON PALLET SHELTERS FOR HOMELESS

Construction has begun on 12 pallet shelters at 1200 Western St. in Fairfield.

The goal — to help alleviate homelessness in the city.

The shelters will be able to house 18 people. Six of the dwellings will feature double beds, while the remaining six will feature single beds. The spaces are big enough for a bed and a small amount of storage.

Plumbing, utility lines and modular bathroom units are currently being installed. The bathroom units will have showers for the residents as well.

The wet weather has caused some delay but the project is estimated to be completed and ready for occupancy by early April, according to Fairfield Director of Housing Services LaTanna Jones.

Jones estimated about 900 unsheltered people within Solano County, with 200 of them in Fairfield.

“We want to ensure there are as many housing options available as possible to the homeless within the city,” said Jones.

Mission Samoa, a Fairfield non-profit, will be overseeing the shelters. Officials will provide assistance to help the occupants find jobs and seek health services, if needed.

The pallet shelters were delivered in October of 2022. Fairfield Housing Rehab Specialist Ahmad Ereiqat said the shelters should only take one day to build because they are constructed like puzzle pieces.

The total cost of construction for the project is $829,374. The startup cost and first-year operation cost is $354,892.

It took approximately 18 months to get to this point in construction.

“The thought is that after this site is built, as we contemplate other sites like this, it will go much faster,” said Jones.

With a $1.1 million housing trust fund allocation from the state of California, the city hopes to build and offer even more temporary housing for unhoused individuals in the future.

“What I am planning to do is a NOFA (Notice of Funding Availablity) for the summer so we can try to either build another pallet shelter or convert a hotel or motel, so we can create even more options,” said Jones.

Within the next few weeks, the pallets will be assembled, weather permitting.

JOEL ROSENBAUM — THE REPORTER La Tanna Jones, Director of Housing Services for the city of Fairfield speaks about the ongoing pallet shelter construction project in the 1200block of Western Street that when completed next month will house up to 18individuals drawn from the unhoused in the city. The temporary or transitional housing development will also have services on-site to assist the residents to get back on their feet.

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE CTY OF FAIRFIELD An artist rendering of what the pallet shelters will look like when construction is completed. Each dwelling will house an individual with a couple of the units having a capacity of two. The project will be able to provide housing for a total of 18 residents.