The county Board of Supervisors have voted 4-1 to move forward with a sleeping cabins project for people experiencing homelessness in the city of Lemon Grove, by allowing staff to negotiate for the property.
Supervisors on Tuesday authorized the county Department of General Services to meet with the state of California for the parcel located on 2800 Sweetwater Road
Monica Montgomery Steppe described the project as a “planned non- congregate emergency housing program in Lemon Grove designed to provide service- connected shelter for people experiencing homelessness.”
Department staff will return to the board later this year “to finalize the purchase and secure the necessary funding for construction,” according to Montgomery Steppe’s office. The goal is to build 60 cabins, also known as tiny homes, on land owned by Caltrans.
According to a statement from Montgomery Steppe, the land would cost $2 million. If the sale goes through, construction could begin next summer and be ready to house people in summer 2027, according to Montgomery Steppe.
Along with the 60 cabins, the project would feature common areas and hygiene facilities, and serve up to 140 people per year. It would also provide security, meals, case management and “navigation services that help participants move toward permanent housing,” Montgomery Steppe’s office said.
The state agency was planning to lease the property, but the Federal Highway Administration blocked that effort and reportedly said Caltrans needed to sell it, according to Montgomery Steppe.
During public comment on Tuesday, those in favor said the Troy Street project was an important bridge to permanent lodging for those now living on the streets.
“We need emergency transitional housing and we need it yesterday,” Lemon Grove Mayor Alysson Snow said.
One advocate described Troy Street as “the only viable options we can see to get people off the streets now.” She added that she understood the concerns of residents who oppose using the land as temporary housing.
One Lemon Grove resident asked the Board of Supervisors to allow community — which he said is already struggling with rising crime — more time to give feedback. Jessyka Heredia, a Lemon Grove City Council member, said the Troy Street Project would be located near a children’s education center, and could jeopardize that.