I live in the East Village and for the past few years there has been the ongoing debate of whether or not we Downtown San Diego residents should host the winter tent shelter in our neighborhood. I find it extremely annoying that it’s even a debate (I had an uncle who lived and died on the streets after serving our country) but regardless of personal experience, it is a topic of contention. Well, no longer will this be an annual hot topic.

Construction has been launched for a year-round housing and service facility (that will replace the need for a winter shelter) for Downtown’s homeless community. San Diego’s World Trade Center (located on Sixth Ave.) has been vacant for some time and will now be a Connections Housing development and civic project for all our homeless individuals and families.

Here are some highlights of this project scheduled to open in December of 2012:

• 223-bed homeless facility
• Full-service residential community home
• Goal is to help transfer homeless individuals and families to permanent housing
• 73 permanent housing units
• 16 special needs, single-room units
• 134 interim housing beds
• social service center
• community health clinic
• funding comes from the CCDC, San Diego Housing Commission, Community Development Block Grant, funds from non-profit organizations and federal low-income housing tax credits

There is still a lot of work to be done for our homeless community but this sure is a step in the right direction. Nice job, Downtown San Diego.

photo via activerain.com