Construction has begun on the financial foundation for the
homeless shelter and transitional housing units to be built in
Gilroy next year. Public and even private funds have been dedicated
to the multimillion-dollar Sobrato Family Transitional Center, but
much more is needed.
Construction has begun on the financial foundation for the homeless shelter and transitional housing units to be built in Gilroy next year. Public and even private funds have been dedicated to the multimillion-dollar Sobrato Family Transitional Center, but much more is needed.
The Emergency Housing Consortium and South County Housing project at 9345 Monterey Road is expected to cost $21.5 million. So far, $6.5 million has come in from public funding sources, leaving a $15 million gap that must be mostly filled before construction begins next year.
The center received a $500,000 gift from the Sobrato Family Foundation early this summer and has received $1 million in funds related to Proposition 46. Proposition 46 is a $2.1 billion state bond measure to provide shelters and transitional housing that voters approved last November.
The center actually includes two separate projects: Sobrato Apartments, 60 transitional housing units for singles and families, which will be built and run by EHC and South County Housing, and Sobrato Transitional Center, a 140-bed emergency shelter run by EHC. Each project has its own budget and fund-raising needs.
The center as a whole will help people transition from homelessness to affordable housing as staff work with residents to create a plan for becoming self-sufficient. It is expected to provide housing and services to 2,200 individuals each year. Transitional housing tenants can use the services for up to two years. They must have some source of income to pay a small fee and must attend case management, workshops and educational seminars..
The EHC will likely launch a fund-raising campaign this winter, possibly with a kick-off event at the opening of the Cold Weather Shelter at the Gilroy National Armory in December.
Construction on the emergency shelter will begin sometime in 2005, and will take up to 18 months to complete.
The EHC will continue to run the Cold Weather Shelter at the Armory until the emergency shelter is built. The armory will open Dec. 2 this year.
Questions about supporting or volunteering: Ky Le at kl*@**********ss.org or 294-2100, ext. 227.
