San Diego County officials put out a call Wednesday for businesses or organizations to place sleeping cabins on their property to expand emergency housing options for unhoused San Diegans.
The county opened a grant application Wednesday that allows private entities to apply to be a partner. The county would purchase the cabins directly from a pre-approved vendor and the partner organization would host the shelter, according to a county statement.
"We are in a housing crisis and every new safe shelter made available can help someone move a step closer to securing permanent housing," said Barbara Jiménez, county community operations officer. "This is a unique opportunity for organizations with a parking lot or other space to help us quickly expand our capacity to safely shelter more people experiencing homelessness."
The $1.5 million sleeping cabin program was approved in 2022 by the San Diego County Board of Supervisors.
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According to the county, around 100 Pallet Shelter cabins will be made available to organizations through this program. Each cabin sleeps one to two people and costs approximately $15,000. The cabins have storage space, a locking door and charging outlets. They are "light and sturdy structures that can be quickly set up," a county statement reads.
Cabins set up at Meridian Baptist Church in El Cajon have given Brittney Drews and her daughter a big opportunity to change their lives.
"Not to worry about where to sleep and, like, how we're going to get by. I've been able to focus on the things I need to focus," Drews said. "It's been like a stepping stone, which that's what it's supposed to be. It's a step, you know, it's a hand up, you know, not a handout."
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Partner organizations chosen will receive cabins directly from Pallet Shelter. Organizations that set up cabins can choose who they will serve, and the services they will provide.
"Grant funds will cover the purchase, delivery and assembly of sleeping cabins," the statement reads. "Qualified partner organizations would need to operate the cabins on their property and serve people experiencing homelessness."
Those selected would also need to have funding and infrastructure for setup, zoning, permitting and ongoing facilities and services to maintain the site. The county hopes that interested parties take at least six cabins and agree to a three-year commitment.
Organizations interested should email HSEC-OHS.HHSA@sdcounty.ca.gov to sign up for the informational webinar and/or receive an application packet. Qualified applicants will be reviewed in the order they are received and awarded on a rolling basis until all have been awarded.
