State awards San Jose $19.9 million to buy downtown motel

California Construction News staff writer

San José will use $19.9 million from the state to buy the 72-room Pacific Motor Inn for interim housing for 72 formerly unhoused individuals.

After two years, the site will be redeveloped into permanent supportive housing. The city will work with PATH San José and developer Westbank to redevelop the site into two apartment buildings with 245 residences for low-income and previously unhoused residents.

“We are grateful for this recent Homekey investment for the purchase of the Pacific Motor Inn, which will enable us to scale the innovative approach that San José pioneered to house our most vulnerable neighbors by purchasing motels to house our homeless residents,” said San José Mayor Sam Liccardo.

“This model has already provided a pathway to continue to move thousands of San Joséans off the street into safe, dignified housing.”

San Jose City Council also voted last week to add two additional sites for quick-build communities, and enhance services to improve quality-of-life for surrounding neighborhoods.

The expansion of the quick-build communities increases the total number of units to reach the city’s goal of 1,000 units completed or under development by the end of 2022.

Council approval means 380 beds will be under development across five sites, adding to the 317 beds completed and 300 beds under construction or close to breaking ground.