Stockton's homeless crisis has long been a challenging issue for many individuals like Maria Castellano and Mohammed Alrajab, who both experienced years of hardship living on the streets. The harsh realities of homelessness—facing hunger, harsh weather conditions, and isolation—prompted them to share their stories and advocate for change.
Alrajab, a former addict, spent nearly five years living in a tent outside Saint Mary’s Dining Room on Sonora Street. He vividly described the struggles of sleeping on concrete and braving the rain without adequate protection. The most heart-wrenching aspect for him was witnessing the deaths of close friends, three of whom succumbed to overdose and tragic accidents.
However, the tragedies in Alrajab's life also became a turning point that inspired him to transform his circumstances. Today, he is a hygiene coordinator supervisor at Saint Mary’s Dining Room, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping the homeless community. He works to provide showers and connect unhoused individuals with essential resources.
In a remarkable move, Saint Mary's, in collaboration with county and city leaders and other organizations, unveiled a comprehensive plan to address homelessness in Stockton. The focal point of this initiative is the construction of 300 modular housing units, set to accommodate up to 600 people in need. This project aims to cater particularly to vulnerable groups, including the elderly, persons with disabilities, women, and couples.
Among the 300 units, 50 will be reserved for homeless individuals discharged from hospitals, providing them with a much-needed transition space. The modular units will be equipped with bathrooms, kitchens, and individual living spaces, offering residents safety and dignity during their stay of up to six months.
Petra Linden, CEO of Saint Mary’s, emphasized that the project's funding, amounting to over $17 million, was a combined effort from various entities determined to move the initiative forward.
While the temporary housing is undoubtedly a significant step towards tackling homelessness in the city, community members voiced concerns about the availability of affordable housing once the six-month period concludes. Stockton City Manager Harry Black acknowledged the concern, assuring that affordable housing remains on the city's agenda. The city and county have committed to addressing the issue and continue to invest in affordable housing initiatives.
Both Maria Castellano and Mohammed Alrajab praised the modular housing units as a much-needed resource for providing safety and security to those experiencing homelessness. Castellano, now a health ambassador at Saint Mary’s, emphasized the importance of ensuring individuals have a safe space to reclaim their lives.
The project is expected to break ground in the coming fall, with the goal of completing the units by the fall of 2024. Officials stressed that the 300 modular units are just the beginning of their efforts to combat homelessness in Stockton, reaffirming their commitment to working collaboratively towards true healing and solutions for the city's most vulnerable population.
As Stockton Mayor Kevin Lincoln put it, "Homelessness is a crisis in our city and across our state." The collective efforts of Saint Mary's Dining Room and local leaders are laying the groundwork for a brighter future, where homelessness becomes a thing of the past, and the city's most vulnerable find hope and opportunity.
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