Vallejo Opens Broadway Project Homeless Facility, Urgent Relief Arrives

BREAKING NEWS: Vallejo’s long-awaited Broadway Project homeless facility is officially opening, providing crucial support for the city’s unhoused population. Ten residents received keys to their new homes on Monday and Tuesday, with city officials projecting at least 90 percent occupancy by December 31.

During a recent Vallejo City Council meeting, Natalie Peterson, assistant to the city manager, confirmed that the facility at 2441 Broadway will see five tenants move in daily through Christmas Eve, totaling 40 tenants by the end of the day on December 24. “At minimum, we will hit 90 percent occupancy before the end of the year,” Peterson stated, underscoring the urgency of this initiative amid Vallejo’s ongoing homelessness crisis.

The Broadway Project, which has faced nearly four years of delays and budget overruns, consists of 47 units of permanent supportive housing. Shelter Inc. is now managing the facility, which includes an on-site property manager, community room, and courtyard. The opening comes as a welcome relief to many locals, especially during the harsh winter months.

“This is a godsend for those experiencing homelessness in Vallejo who would otherwise face the cold without shelter,” Peterson added. The facility’s opening marks the second homeless support initiative launched in Vallejo this year, following the opening of the Navigation Center in June, which provides 125 beds and additional wraparound services.

As excitement builds for the new facility, city officials are planning a ribbon-cutting ceremony aimed for late January or early February. Peterson emphasized the importance of community engagement in this project, stating, “We will be reaching out to the council and the community once we finalize that date.”

The Broadway Project has been funded through various sources, totaling $27 million, including $11 million from the State of California’s Homekey Project. Gillian Haen, assistant city manager, expressed pride in the project’s completion, stating, “It’s been a long project met with much dissent and judgment, but we stayed consistent and didn’t back down from all the hurdles.”

Local residents have already begun to notice moving trucks outside the facility. “All of the tenants are from Vallejo at this point,” Haen confirmed, highlighting the localized focus of the initiative. “Houseless people in Vallejo are moving off the street into beautiful homes for Christmas!”

However, the project’s opening is not without its challenges. Experts stress the need for ongoing mental health support for residents transitioning from homelessness to stable housing. Ian Cordova Morales, a housing navigator for the Homeless Action Center, remarked, “There is not anybody I’ve met who has gone through the experience of homelessness without experiencing some post-traumatic stress disorder.”

Peterson reassured that at least two case managers will be on-site to assist residents in accessing necessary services. “Everyone who needs mental health services will have access to them,” she said, emphasizing the project’s commitment to supporting residents’ well-being.

As Vallejo celebrates this significant milestone, the community also remembers those who have faced tragic outcomes due to homelessness. At the council meeting, a poignant tribute was paid to James Oakley, a local man who died tragically last Christmas Eve. A call was made to honor his memory by dedicating a common space within the new facility to remind future residents of the opportunities they have been given.

The Broadway Project is poised to transform lives in Vallejo, providing essential housing and support to those in need. As the facility opens its doors, the community looks forward to a new chapter of hope and resilience for its most vulnerable residents.

Stay tuned for updates on the upcoming ribbon-cutting ceremony and further developments regarding the Broadway Project.