DOWNTOWN: Homeless shelter set to open after months of delays

(CNS) – Following months of delays, a 223-bed shelter for
homeless people is scheduled for a grand opening in downtown San Diego Monday.

Connections Housing, placed inside the 86-year-old World Trade Center
building, was originally set to open last fall — and city of San Diego
officials had hoped it would eliminate the need for its annual cold weather
shelter.

Finding a site for a temporary facility over the winter months regularly
generated heated neighborhood opposition.

However, problems that arose during renovations of the aging building
created delays, pushing the grand opening until today, according to officials
involved with the project.

The city, meanwhile, opened its winter shelter at 16th Street and Newton
Avenue in Barrio Logan.

Some residents moved into Connections Housing, at 1250 Sixth Ave., last
month.

The concept of Connections Housing is to put both the homeless and
social services at the same location. The 14-story facility will offer studio
apartments for 73 residents and transitional beds for another 150 people.

“Connections Housing is not only a bed to sleep in, but also the
counseling and education people need to change the direction of their lives,”
said James Silverwood, president and CEO of Affirmed Housing, one of the
partners in the project.