Today, San Diego's County Health and Human Services Agency announced their search for partner organizations for deploying sleeping cabins valued at $1.5 million, as emergency housing solutions for the homeless. The initiative marks a response to San Diego's housing crisis by offering secure, accessible shelter to those most in need.
The San Diego County Board of Supervisors had approved the sleeping cabin program the previous year, addressing the housing crisis through the Department of Homeless Solutions and Equitable Communities. Barbara Jiménez, County Community Operations Officer, highlighted the program's significance, stating that "each additional safe shelter can help someone to closer move towards securing permanent housing."
Potential partner organizations are expected to host approximately 100 Pallet Shelter cabins, which are designed to sleep one or two people, as reported by the County News Center. These lightweight cabins, equipped with storage space, a locking door, and charging outlets, are suitable for quick setup. The grant application process aims to find local organizations with appropriate spaces to house these cabins.
The grant will shoulder the expenses for the cabins’ purchase, delivery, and assembly, but the partner organizations are expected to help with the setup, obtain building permits, and provide for the ongoing facilities and services required to keep them operational. The overall project's success depends on how well these organizations can fulfill these requirements.
