"Nonprofit service provider WeHope will take over the Arena Hotel at 817 The Alameda starting Dec. 1 and replace HomeFirst. It will provide case management and temporarily manage the property, security and food until San Jose hires another company to oversee operations across its temporary shelters to centralize services and cut costs. The San Jose City Council last month unanimously approved a $2.7 million contract for WeHope from Oct. 1 through June 30, 2026."
"Wess said he expects WeHope will bring needed change for the 97 hotel residents and the surrounding neighborhood. He wants to see people getting housed quicker and have access to more resources. The hotel has had issues since the city converted it into a homeless shelter two years ago. The elevators were constantly broken, residents suffered from food poisoning and HomeFirst's case managers struggled to meet requests from residents such as providing money for work shoes,"
The Arena Hotel at 817 The Alameda will change operators as WeHope assumes management on Dec. 1, replacing HomeFirst and temporarily overseeing property operations, security and food while the city seeks a single contractor to centralize shelter services and reduce costs. The San Jose City Council approved a $2.7 million contract for WeHope from Oct. 1 through June 30, 2026. Residents, including long-term resident Chris Wess, welcome the change and expect faster housing placements and increased resources. The hotel has experienced maintenance and health problems and residents report inconsistent, ineffective case management under the prior operator. HomeFirst declined to continue operating to focus on tiny home villages and has moved 52 people into permanent housing since the hotel opened in August 2023.
Read at San Jose Spotlight
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