Santa Maria holds meeting to discuss Homeless Village proposal

SANTA MARIA, Calif. – The Hope Village housing will provide ninety-four private cabins with beds, bathrooms and Wi-Fi.

During the information meeting local officials discussed a proposal for a temporary village.

The focus of the village is getting people off the streets and into permanent housing.

"Tonight we’re talking to the community about a possible project called Hope Village it’s a village to help or almost adults find a place to stay as a transition into permanent housing," said Edwin Weaver Executive Director of Fighting Back Santa Maria Valley.

Organizers say there are over 150 homeless people without shelter living in the Santa Maria.

Many live on streets, along riverbeds, and in encampments.

"The plan is to build 91 units where 11 of those units will be for 18 to 24-year-olds 24 of those units will be for people who have medical needs and the rest for general homeless population," said Edwin Weaver.

Members of Fighting Back Santa Maria Valley believe Hope Village will be a good resource for people facing homeless

"We're very excited about the dignity that this provides, that somebody can have their own or have their own space, be able to go and sleep when they want to go to work, when they want to get off the streets and then start planning for a permanent housing solution for themselves," said Edwin Weaver.

The proposed village is being considered at an empty lot near the Betteravia government center.

"If somebody’s working really hard on their exit plan and we’re rolling up at 12 work harder not faster is the object of the exercise here to get people safely and affordable into new housing," said Jack Lorenz with DignityMoves.

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