San Diego renovating former motel for new family shelter

California Construction News staff writer

The City of San Diego will renovate a former motel in Barrio Logan to create a new shelter for 42 families.

The bridge housing program will provide families with children experiencing homelessness with a stable place to stay and diverse on-site supportive services, including meals, mail services, security, housing support and case management.

This project adds to the list of non-congregate shelter options the homelessness strategies and solutions department (HSSD) has added in the past two years.

HSSD will use approximately $350,000 from the County of San Diego’s $10 million capital emergency housing solutions grant program to pay for capital improvements and is seeking a service provider to operate the shelter to serve residents in need as quickly as possible.

The 42-room site will serve up to 164 individuals and provide an administrative office, laundry room, break room and parking lot. The lease is for an initial seven-month term, with two one-year extension options.

“The city is working with partners across the region to find solutions that align with national best practices,” said Hafsa Kaka, HSSD director. “We know that families experiencing homelessness engage more and feel safer in non-congregate shelters. We are excited to be delivering another option for families and children that meets the needs of our residents.”