San Jose Launches 136-Bed Tiny Home Village for the Homeless

San Jose has officially opened a new tiny-home village designed to provide shelter for individuals experiencing homelessness. The community, located on Cherry Avenue adjacent to the Guadalupe River, features 136 units and is part of the city’s broader initiative to address homelessness while longer-term affordable housing options are developed.

Mayor Matt Mahan inaugurated the village, highlighting its role in the city’s rapid response to an ongoing crisis. “In just 10 months, we’ve opened eleven communities like this one that are helping people get off the streets and get on with their lives,” he stated during the ribbon-cutting ceremony. City officials indicated they gathered contact information from approximately 40 individuals who had been camping along the riverbank, noting that those experiencing homelessness in the vicinity are given priority for the new housing.

What Residents Will Find Inside

Each unit within the village is designed to be compact yet functional. Residents will find basic amenities, including a bed and an HVAC system for climate control. Shared facilities provide necessary services such as bathrooms, laundry, and prepared meals, along with on-site social work support. The village also features security, outdoor common areas, and partnerships with local organizations that assist residents in their transition to permanent housing.

Funding and Project Details

The Cherry Avenue project received approval from the city council in 2023, supported through a combination of city funds, state resources, and private donations. Notable contributors include John Sobrato and Good Samaritan Hospital. Groundbreaking for the project took place in January 2023, with residents expected to begin moving in by the end of the month.

The village spans 2.5 acres and is situated on land leased from the Santa Clara Valley Water District until December 31, 2035. The district has implemented a no-encampment policy in the area, allowing for enforcement against unauthorized camping on its property. The total cost of the project was approximately $18.3 million, with community support evident as local residents from the Erikson neighborhood have organized welcome baskets and expressed their backing at city council meetings.

The Path Ahead

City officials consider the Cherry Avenue village a significant step in a larger effort to establish interim housing solutions aimed at reducing the number of tent encampments along local creeks and rivers. While the immediate response has garnered positive feedback from those transitioning indoors, advocates and policymakers emphasize that the long-term resolution hinges on the development of affordable housing and sustainable funding to maintain these interim sites.

Residents previously living along the riverbank reported feeling relieved to have access to stable shelter. Nevertheless, questions remain regarding staffing levels, the availability of on-site services, and the scalability of the tiny-home model, all of which are critical to the success of San Jose’s ongoing homelessness strategy.