SAN JOSE — First there were 99. Then there were four. Now there could be just two.
After a big backlash from neighbors, city housing officials are now recommending just two tiny home villages in San Jose — down from an initial list of nearly 100 potential such sites for the homeless.
City leaders once envisioned tiny home villages that would house up to 25 people in each of San Jose’s 10 council districts. But the idea, one of San Jose’s most innovative solutions to house the estimated 4,000 people who are homeless, has faced scathing scrutiny ever since it was first proposed a year ago.
When San Jose released the list of 99 potential sites, neighborhood groups fought back.
In response to the overwhelming criticism, housing officials in July pared the list down to four sites after placing additional restrictions on locations: They all had to be 100 feet to 150 feet away from schools, creeks and parks. But that still wasn’t enough to appease for critics.
The two sites now recommended are part of a one-year pilot program funded by the city’s general fund. Ray Bramson — the city’s acting deputy director of housing — said that will allow the city to evaluate operating costs and review the impact of tiny homes. The City Council is scheduled to discuss the latest proposal Tuesday.
While NIMBYism — people who oppose homeless housing in their backyards — is not new, advocates say the current level of vitriol is unprecedented. Some speculate it’s fueled by the current divisiveness in national politics.
“I feel like over the last year or so, these conversations have gotten consecutively worse,” said Jennifer Loving, who runs the nonprofit Destination: Home. “They’re saying things like ‘Go back to where you came’ from or ‘Build a wall’ – the level of public discourse has become more and more angry.”
Bramson said the city reached out to other public agencies, including the county and Santa Clara Valley Water District, asking for potential sites for the tiny homes. But he said neither agency has provided any locations so far.
“That gets me upset,” said Bernard Giles, 56, a former construction worker who became homeless after his rent went up $400. “We’re not killers. We’re not bad people. They’re not trying to spread love — the rich keep getting richer and the poor keep getting poorer.”
Mayor Sam Liccardo, Vice Mayor Magdalena Carrasco and council members Chappie Jones, Raul Peralez and Sylvias Arenas have said they want to maintain the original vision of having one site per council district. They suggest no more than three sites during the pilot phase and will ask each council member to suggest a site in their district.
The last time San Jose lawmakers were asked to come up with spots for tiny homes, only two did — Jones and Councilman Johnny Khamis.
Three sites are still under consideration, but city leaders recommend picking just two. The three sites are at Branham Lane and Monterey Road, Bernal and Monterey roads and a location near the Guadalupe freeway and Taylor Street.
Bramson said running 10 tiny home villages citywide at once could be too difficult and most nonprofits don’t have the money or staffing to do it. “But if we can open a few sites and look at the feasibility, then we can come back and look at expanding the program,” he said.
He estimated it would cost up to $300,000 to construct 20 “sleeping cabins” and up to $600,000 to build community spaces, such as showers, bathrooms, lighting and parking. Services such as security could cost another $500,000 per site annually.
In a surprising move, Councilman Sergio Jimenez, normally an advocate for homeless housing, suggests only one pilot site on “commercial or industrial property away from residential areas.” His proposal gained support from council members Khamis and Dev Davis.
Jimenez said he’s concerned that two potential sites are either inside or near his district, placing an unfair burden on his area’s residents.
Maria Covarrubias, 51, who’s been homeless for a year, said she’d love a tiny home to call her own — the locking door would protect her belongings. Someone stole her phone and photos while she slept on the streets.
“Everyone judges a book by its cover,” Covarrubias said Monday. “I’ve worn the same clothes for three days, but it’s all I’ve got. Instead of judging, why don’t you pray for me or take me somewhere to buy clothes?”
The City Council will discuss the tiny homes issue at its Tuesday meeting, which begins at 1:30 p.m. inside the council chamber at City Hall, 200 East Santa Clara Street in San Jose. The discussion won’t begin until 4 p.m.
