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A similar number of hotel vouchers may be phased out in favor of less glamorous, but fully inclusive, wrap-around servicesBy Jonathan Goetz
March 14, 2024 (Spring Valley) -- In an effort to address the homelessness crisis, Supervisors Wednesday voted 4-0 (with Joel Anderson absent due to a medical issue) to spend $18.5 million for 150 sleeping cabins at the corner of Jamacha Road and SR-125 in Spring Valley as part of Governor Gavin Newsom's sleeping cabin effort.
The site will also allow for more centralized services to be provided for vulnerable populations.
The Jamacha cabins site is located directly across the street from a 7-11 and Veterans Thrift Store. On the other side of State Route 125 are the Jack in the Box and Target at the corner of Sweetwater and Jamacha Roads.
The annual operating costs are estimated at $5-$6 million, which will include 24-hour site management and security services, case management including behavioral health supports, housing navigation, meals, transportation, site maintenance, and hygiene facilities. "Establishing the 150 sleeping cabins would allow for the reduction of 150 rooms in the Regional Homeless Assistance Program (RHAP), which currently have an estimated $9 million annual operating cost," according to the Board agenda.
The land belongs to the California Department of Transportation and may be leased for seven years at $1 per year with a $5,000 administration fee. Of the $18.5 million in construction costs, approximately $10 million is proposed to come from the Governor's sleeping cabin effort and another $8.5 million from the American Rescue Plan Act.
According to the 2023 Point in Time Count, East County had 1,703 homeless people, including 528 who were unsheltered, 881 in an emergency shelter, and 294 in transitional housing. East County has 17% of the countywide homeless population.
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