San José to Open New "Haven" for Disaster Victims
Partnership with City, Red Cross and Emergency Housing Consortium
Event: Victims of fires and other disasters who need short-term
emergency housing will have shelter available with the opening of the
"Haven" emergency shelter tomorrow. The project is the result
of a unique partnership involving the City of San José, Emergency
Housing Consortium and American Red Cross.
When: 1:30 p.m., Thursday, April 4, 2002
Refreshments, open house and tour to follow the ribbon cutting program
Where: 937 Locust Street, San Jose
(between Oak Street and Edwards Ave, near Vine and Willow Streets)
Who: Mayor Ron Gonzales
Cindy Chavez, Councilmember, District 3
Barry Del Buono, Executive Director, Emergency Housing Consortium
Scott Render, CEO, American Red Cross Santa Clara Valley Chapter
Manuel Alarcon, San Jose Fire Chief
Background: The Haven can provide emergency housing for up to
20 people who would otherwise be temporarily homeless as the result of
residential fires or other disasters.
The City of San José and the San José Redevelopment Agency
provided a $1.9 million grant for acquisition and conversion. New furnishings
for the Haven were provided by EHC, which will manage the four housing
units. The Red Cross will provide in-take screening and referrals to the
Haven.
The Haven's buildings, located in the Washington neighborhood on Locust
Street, originally housed nuns for the nearby Sacred Heart Church and
school. The rehabilitated building consists of three 2-bedroom units,
one 1-bedroom unit, and a manager's unit.
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