The city of San Jose unveiled its first Bridge Housing
Community so that homeless people who are transitioning into permanent housing,
can have a place to stay during that transition.
The 40 units are tiny, but the compound includes showers, a
shared kitchen and food pantry.
Attacking homelessness was the theme of the governor’s state
of address, so he went to see it for himself.
“I’m in this for the long haul. We own this,” said
California Governor Gavin Newsom. “No more finger pointing anymore. We own
this. Society becomes how we behave.”
The project is a private-public partnership located near the
Berryessa BART station. A second similar compound is already in the works in San
Jose in Caltrans property.
“These are folks who are in a program and have a subsidy but
are waiting for a unit to open up,” said Andrea Urton from Home First. “They
have been vetted by the city or referring agency.”
The governor toured the complex Thursday and vowed to
replicate the idea across the state to help end homelessness.
“This is a disgrace,” Newsom said. “There’s no excuse that
so many people are struggling. Particularly in this part of the state with all
the wealth and all the ingenuity. We’re better than this.”
People will have internet services and learn computer skills
while they’re at the complex.
For the neighbors who might be worried about living next to
homeless, the complex has 24-hour security on site.
Source: NBC Bay Area