San Jose Activists Construct Unauthorized Shelters, Slam Metropolis’s Response To Housing Homeless – CBS San Francisco

SAN JOSE (KPIX 5) – A breakaway movement of local activists is underway in San Jose to concurrently build emergency shelters and solicit city leaders for “mistakes” in providing adequate shelter for the homeless.

Three unauthorized “weather shelters” were built in an undisclosed location on public land by volunteers from Feed the Block, local activists based in San Jose.

“These are not small houses. They’re essentially an insulated shed that provides both protection from the weather and security, and provides a slightly more stable environment for residents out here, ”said Jesi, the group leader.

The weather shelters are 8 x 12 feet and have no wires, electricity, or a poured concrete foundation. The walls are framed, insulated and covered with plywood and sit on wooden concrete blocks.

Shelters being built by the Feed the Block group in an undisclosed location in San Jose. (CBS)

The small crawl space below is covered with wire mesh to prevent rodent infestation. Each unit will have a gable and shingle roof and has two narrow windows and a latched door.

“We are really out here because the city failed to provide housing for the people,” Jesi told KPIX 5.

In February 2020, the city started its first Tiny Homes project with 40 units, which were built near the Berryessa BART station in northern San Jose, to a great roar. Since then, the city has built a total of five sites that can accommodate more than 400 formerly uninhabited people, according to Jeff Scott, public information manager at the San Jose Housing Department. A sixth location will be considered by the city council later this month.

“The city has its own tiny home project, but they haven’t built nearly enough tiny homes to accommodate people. So this is really a stopgap solution. This is definitely not an ideal situation for anyone, ”said Jesi.

Feed the Block’s current efforts will be completed in two weeks after flooring, roofing, and painting work is completed by a rotating list of volunteers. The cost of materials is approximately $ 3,500 per unit, raised primarily through private donations on the group’s Instagram account.

Will more weather shelters be built in the future?

“Expect as many as we can fund and get away with it,” said Jesi. “If the city comes out and tries to destroy it, we will try to protect these shelters. Our message to the city of San Jose is if you don’t want this, if you want to remove this then do it better! Then really create living space for the people and then such measures no longer have to be taken. “

Scott released a statement that said in part, “All of our interim shared flats go through an extensive inspection process before they are given occupancy certificates. The city takes security very seriously. All buildings that are used for human living in the city must comply with our building regulations and fire protection regulations. “