In the heart of San Joaquin County, a homeless shelter project has been playing an epic game of bureaucratic hide-and-seek that would make even the most patient social worker roll their eyes. 🙄

The Pathways Neighborhood shelter, a project first dreamed up in 2022, has finally secured a cool $1.24 million in funding after years of political ping-pong. Originally envisioned as a game-changing solution for Stockton’s growing homeless population, this shelter has been delayed more times than your last Tinder date.

The Numbers Don’t Lie

Let’s break down the stark reality: homelessness in San Joaquin County has doubled since 2022, jumping from 2,319 to a staggering 4,700 individuals. Even more gut-punching? About 73% of these folks are sleeping in cars, tents, or abandoned buildings. Not exactly the California dream we’ve been sold, right?

Advocacy with Attitude

Jessica Velez, CEO of Red Rabbit, isn’t mincing words. “The homeless crisis is getting worse every single day,” she says. “Rents are continuing to go up and there’s no more jobs being offered here”. Translation: things are rough, and bureaucratic Band-Aids aren’t cutting it.

The Silver Lining

The good news? The Pathways shelter is set to provide 160 units of low-barrier housing, complete with wraparound services like medical care, meals, and 24/7 security. It might not solve everything, but it’s a start in a system that’s been failing its most vulnerable residents for far too long.