Gov. Gavin Newsom has cut a multimillion-dollar check to San Jose as part of the state’s promise to build 200 tiny homes for the city’s homeless residents.
Newsom made a $30-million promise in March 2023 to deploy the California National Guard to build 1,200 tiny homes across the state to combat growing homelessness. San Jose is getting $12.7 million to build 200 homes, though that appears to be the extent of the state’s support. In order to get those homes built, officials said it may now be up to San Jose to tackle the development plan and the design — instead of the state.
The $12.7 million may be enough to build the 200 tiny homes city officials said, but having the city lead the development without the state’s help in planning may affect the timeline. The homes will be built on a vacant six-acre site at the VTA Cerone work yard in North San Jose.
“We’re pushing full steam ahead with Cerone and the hundreds of other safe, dignified units we have in the pipeline — we have approval from VTA and support from the council and residents,” San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan told San José Spotlight. “We are grateful for the governor’s financial support and continued partnership in helping alleviate the crisis on our streets.”