Posted on 05/24/2026 1:24:10 PM PDT by nickcarraway
A tiny home project in Watsonville is giving people experiencing homelessness both housing and hope for a better future.
For Rosie Lopez, Hope Village, as it’s called, saved her life.
“Because I had just lost my brother, you know, and I was contemplating suicide and I've been homeless for almost five years, and I was really at my worst,” Lopez said.
Hope Village is a navigation center for people experiencing homelessness on both sides of the Pajaro River. The 34-bed center celebrated its grand opening this week.
“Most folks, they're not looking for a handout. They really want an opportunity — an opportunity to get a home, an opportunity to get a job and get back on their feet and find a way to make their lives move forward,” said Mike Kittredge of Hope Village.
The village of tiny homes does that by providing supportive housing and wraparound services that include housing navigation, health care, counseling and job referrals, with each resident being provided a case manager who advocates for their success.
“We've had three folks who have been housed, we have four folks who are in queue to get housing, and we have had three individuals gain employment since they've been residents here,” Kittredge said.
Soon, Rosie Lopez may be part of that group — someone who was about to give it all up but now has hope ahead of her.
“I'm happy, you know, I have my dog with me and this place does good for everybody here. You know, the staff, they all help, they care, you know, and anything, anything is within our reach,” Lopez said.
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Get back to me in six months and let’s see how they are doing.
are they brick?
might not be standing in 6 months if they aren’t.
Nice thought but untrue.
Most homeless people are addicts and/or people suffering from mental illness.
When’s the last time you saw a homeless person in a neat, tidy and well maintained encampment?
Sure, there are exceptions. But, most people who are homeless as so for a reason. Their behavior will require a lot more than a mini house or any other hand out to change.
I don’t mind too much if the government builds small, cheap housing for homeless people. “Here is a safe place for you to live. A roof over your head. A place where you can stay while you try to get back on your feet.” I am not opposed to that.
But anyone who chooses to live there, and who then causes trouble? Starts a fight? Makes a mess? Causes damage? I say chuck that bastard into prison. Small cell. Strict control. Forever. Let them rot outside of sight of society. We only owe them so much.
The drugs and mental illness are a big problem, but around here, we have a lot of people who are working, but they can’t afford rent and they are mostly living in their car.
Watsonville is a city located in Santa Cruz County, California.
They are absolutely looking for a handout, such as "get a home".
Watsonville was once a nice town and area.
Also, finding "a way to make their lives move forward" should include legal entry into our fine Country, learning our language, respecting our customs, obeying our laws, and working hard earn an honest living.
I'd love to be wrong about what I actually expect in a year or so, we'll see.
RE: headline....
“houselessness” is the woke word now.
I thought it was unhoused?
How about “outdoorsy?”
Most are just plain f’n bums who know how to work the system. They do not want an opportunity. They want free sh— without doing anything. They’ll destroy these houses in no time. Bunch of damn fools to offer them free housing. Unreal the stupidity l.
No, I really think most are looking for free taxpayer paid housing (illegals, and most fans of AOC, Sanders and Mamdani) and definitely free health care and free groceries.
The first welfare was said to be a "bridge" to get from the short term and embarrassing experience of poverty and joblessness to the better life of pride in having a good job and contributing to society. 1930s government explanations.
Paul Harvey had a show where he said people forced to take welfare and food stamps tried to keep the shameful secret from neighbors and friends in their church congregations. Later decades the term was "entitlements" and people started defiantly and openly demanding government money and benefits because "I am entitled to it."
“They’ll destroy these houses in no time.”
And will they leave after they’ve vandalized the place?
No, the do-gooders of Watsonville will be stuck with their good intentions forever.
I heard/read “undomiciled” the other day.
The irony is that in Communist countries, you get arrested under “Anti-Parasite” laws if you are not working, or forced to work.
The “Communists” are doing these things now, in order to tear down society, so they can build a Communist society, where you are forced to work as a slave, or starve.
We all have to get with it, including me:
From schoolhouseconnection advocacy group——
Unhoused: Highly preferred in modern advocacy. It emphasizes that a person lacks shelter due to systemic or structural issues. The prefix “un” suggests something that happened to someone, rather than defining who they are.
Houseless: A widely accepted alternative. Some people prefer it because a “home” can mean a community or physical space (like a tent or a car), even if they do not have a traditional physical “house”.
Homeless: While still commonly used by government organizations (such as HUD) and the general public, it is increasingly criticized for lumping people together under a stigmatized label.
People experiencing homelessness / People without housing: This is often considered the most respectful approach overall. Using person-first language centers on the individual rather than defining them by their housing status.
schoolhouseconnection.org
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