Panelists and readers answered the following: Do you support the mayor’s idea to develop a village of “tiny homes” for the homeless as transitional shelter?
Mary Zanger: No. The mayor’s school children like band-aids. This tiny “band-aid” village will ooze blood underneath and all over. The first “blood” will be the absence of any drug rehab program. Next oozing will be a lack of any alcohol 12-step program and transition to local groups. Next “blood” will be lack of any job training. More “blood” loss will drain from lack of incentives to grow out of homelessness. Best hope would be to support and work with our very own local Homeless Coalition of San Benito County.
Jim West: Yes. The problem of homelessness in our society has to be addressed and while Mayor Ignacio Velazquez’s idea may not work, or work in all cases, it’s better than doing nothing and I don’t have any better idea so let’s try SOMETHING!
Nants Foley: I like the idea of Tiny Homes, but cannot imagine where they will be located, how they will be able to generate an income stream to make them financially viable or how they can be maintained. I am glad to see the conversation started, however.
Ann Ross: No. All resources to address the homeless issue in San Benito County should be directed towards building the new homeless shelter.
Ruth Erickson: This sounds like the mini studio apartments being built in the Bay Area. The cost of building these tiny homes in San Benito County has been estimated at $20,000 to $25,000 each, but does that take into account the price of the land, utility hookup and the cost of whomever will be responsible for collecting rents and overseeing the properties? The idea is good, but it will only take care of those with an income, leaving others still homeless.
David Huboi: Micro-home housing provides stability and safety of a home that communal shelters and encampments cannot. A home base is the foundation to rebuild dignity and regain the power of choice to help heal those who have been rejected by society.
Jeanine Gonzalez: I think it’s smart to put roofs over people’s heads. If we can, why not do it?
Celia Hecht: Yes, did you know that there are 350-plus women over 50 years of age that are without homes in Monterey County? Imagine, grandmas, aunties, mothers, sisters of 82 year olds sleeping in vans, 75-year-old ladies with breast cancer sleeping in tents. These women should have HOMES, tiny or otherwise affordable. Everyone deserves shelter, a home of their own.
Gail Gurnias-Hernandez: Excellent idea. I would love to see this happen!
Kathleen Diekmann: I like the idea, but are there options for families? Helping anyone is great, but how do we keep children off the street? I honestly don’t know a ton about what services are available, so this is just a question to help me be more informed.
Lisa Nicolaides Hill: Great idea. Everyone needs a roof.
Antonio Zamora: It is a good idea, to help them up and be there for them.
