Official tent city to come

CARLSBAD — With the city's housing shortage, a problem that has been acknowledged by city officials in the past, Carlsbad residents have invested in number of different living options that range from RV parks, apartments and extended stay hotels.

But this summer, there will be a new resource for those who aren't able to afford those options.

Carlsbad Community of Hope, an organized, legal tent city located at 1314 S. Canal St., is scheduled to open on June 16, said Robert Jacquez, one of the project's organizers. At Tuesday's city council meeting, councilors approved an ordinance rezoning the area from an industrial district to an area available for commercial use.

Jacquez said the tent city will be more than just a place for people to lay their head at night. In addition to providing shelter, the organization will also have a resource center to provide a variety of services such as haircuts, educational classes, laundry machines and mental health aid.

"Most shelters you get to stay the night and you have to come back the next day in the evening again," he said. "They're going to be provided resources during the day, classes and education so we can teach (them) that they are somebody, God loves them."

The project is currently scheduled to have 30 tents with one person in each, but Jacquez said they plan to increase the amount of tents and eventually upgrade to sheds with beds and desks. To gain a spot, interested persons will be able to walk in and apply by filling out paperwork to prove that they are homeless.

Jacquez said he hopes the resources will help members of the homeless community get back on their feet and encourage others to do so as well.

"Once they (members of the homeless community) see a few people get the help they need and move on to transitional housing, they may also want that for their lives," Jacquez said.

Residents of the tent city will be able to stay for 90 days, but each situation will be reviewed on a case by case basis.

He said so far, members of the community have shown a large amount of positive support and that the facility will be funded by sponsors and donations, many of which were made anonymously.

"I've got more positive response than any negative,” Jacquez said. "I've had tremendous city support."

Brian McGonagill, executive director at Carlsbad Transitional Housing and Homeless Shelter, is also helping with the project. As a Carlsbad native, he said this is the first organized tent city that he's ever heard of in town, although he estimated that there are currently four or five unofficial tent cities.

He said having this resource is different from current resources because it provides services to specific people of the homeless population, those who are chronically or transitionally homeless.

"They‘re going to hit a niche that’s needed in Carlsbad," he said.

The tent city already has a group of people who plans to use the facility. Tonya Rowe, who is homeless and plans to use the resource center along with about five others, said she is looking forward to having a safe place to call home. Jacquez said the tent city will be monitored around the clock with cameras and a staff member.

"What I'm looking forward to is having a place to shower that's safe. Eventually when they get it wide open I wouldn't mind actually being here in safety," Rowe said. "Right now if I wanted to get out of my car and it's about to bake me, no matter what I bought for my tent would be stolen. So I'm afraid to get out of my car. Here I wouldn't have to be afraid." 

She also said that having easy access to computers will be a huge step forward for her job search.

"I'm looking forward to a computer to apply and the resources before that to get my ID because I'm a working person," she said.

Kenny, another person who plans to use the facilities but declined to provide his last name, said getting an ID is also a high priority for him. He said he and the group looking to make a fresh start at the tent city will take the opportunity seriously.

"We'll respect the facility," he said.

Connie Lee can be reached at 575-628-5516.