Last week, the California Transportation Commission approved the sale of the vacant parcel of land that’s owned by Caltrans, which is just over one acre. Soon construction is set to begin for 60 tiny homes that will serve as transitional housing for people who are unhoused. The project has been controversial with mixed reactions from members of the community. “I don’t know what kind of people they’re going to be housing there. What they say is probably not what they’re going to do. There probably putting a lot of people with drug problems and substance abuse problems,” Larry Tidmore who lives in the neighborhood said. Tidmore lives in the neighborhood next to the site, where the county plans to build the tiny home project.He’s among many residents concerned about the effects it could have in the community. Tidmore’s neighbor across the street, Matthew Buck, moved into the area just a few months ago. He supports the project, but he hopes it won’t affect the property value of his home or his neighbors’. “I am pretty compassionate and I think we should help those who are in need. You know of course, if they do it responsibly, and with security, and cleanliness, then I’m all for it,” Buck said. Mayor for the City of Lemon Grove, Alysson Snow, said each cabin will include a bed, a desk, and air conditioning and heating. The site will also include portable showers designed for each unit, a community kitchen, and a community center. Mayor Snow said the transitional housing will give people the opportunity to get housed while they look for permanent housing. “I know for the people who are immediately adjacent to it, it’s a concern and we’ll do our very best, and we’re working with the county to make sure there are safeguards in place to protect the community, but this is a big step toward safety,” Mayor Snow said. She said about one third of the city’s last point-in-time count were over 60-years-old. “That is an incredible problem. These are people on fixed incomes who just can’t afford how much it costs to live in San Diego,” Mayor Snow said. Mayor Snow said it will cost the county about $11.1 Million to build the property and $3.4 million annually to cover social services, maintenance, and upkeep. She said prior to this project the city didn’t have the money or resources to tackle homelessness with housing and wrap around services. “The tiny homes, even when we did the encampment resolution funds, we only had 102 spots, so there were still some people who were left out in the cold, and out on the streets,” Mayor Snow said. She emphasized that she doesn’t want the new residents to feel alienated from the rest of the Lemon Grove Community. “We want everybody in our community to know that we love them and everybody belongs,” Mayor Snow said. Previously, the county was planning to lease the plot of land from Caltrans, but the new federal administration required counties to buy the land, according to Mayor Snow. Construction is set to begin in the coming months. ...read more read less