San Jose officials are sharing more details about the city’s first safe sleeping site for homeless residents as the March opening draws near.
Mayor Matt Mahan and city housing officials spoke with residents on Monday about how they’ll convert the lot at 1157 E. Taylor St. into a place where up to 56 homeless people will be able to sleep in tents without fear of being swept. The site will have 24/7 security and serve as a navigation center, where participants will be given three daily meals, have access to shower and laundry facilities and get connected with supportive services. The goal is to move people within 30 days of placement to another temporary housing site such as a tiny home or congregate shelter — where people share a common space with limited or no privacy — or into permanent supportive housing.
“This site will act as triage placement, and then they’ll be transported to the new sites,” Housing Director Erik Soliván said at last night’s community meeting.
Residents have raised concerns about the site’s proximity to Empire Gardens Elementary School and Watson Park, where homeless people have set up camp along nearby Coyote Creek. They are worried about increased crime and drug dealing in their neighborhood. The city will implement a no encampment zone near the site on both sides of Coyote Creek, from Mabury Road to East Empire Street, as well as around the park and school.