The City of Chula Vista will open the first pallet home bridge shelter in San Diego County on May 15. An official ribbon cutting ceremony was held on May 11 with officials unveiling Chula Vista Village at Otay.

The 65 individual pallet homes are equipped with two single beds, shelving, a table and chair, locking doors and windows, in addition to heating and air conditioning. IKEA generously donated furnishings for each unit including bedding, curtains, door mats, lamps and potted plants giving the homes a welcoming look. In addition to the 65 pallet homes, Chula Vista Village at Otay also will have a shower facility with six individual shower/restroom stalls and a laundry facility with three washers and dryers. One multi-purpose room, one Case Manager room and an outside patio area, with furniture donated by IKEA, complete the Village. Twenty-four hour security is provided 365 days a year.

Residents selected to live in the homes will be referred and vetted through the City’s Homeless Outreach Team and the Department of Housing and Homeless Services. The facility is designed to serve as transitional housing and will not be a drop-in or day center. Pets are welcome and residents can bring their belongings, including bicycles, that will be stored on-site.

Funding for the $6.6 million project was from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, State of California, County of San Diego, and Regional Task Force on the Homeless. The cost includes design, site preparation, construction, operational supplies, shower/restroom and laundry facilities.

Shelter Operator, City Net, and other agency partners, will deliver services to residents including health care, mental health care, and drug and alcohol treatment. To maintain client privacy, the City is not planning any media activities on May 15 when Chula Vista Village at Otay opens.

Check out the ribbon cutting ceremony video on You Tube: https://youtu.be/YYBKM2TgkYE.