Supportive housing solutions in the works in Seaside
SEASIDE, Calif. (KION) - A local developer is ready to take on a new project to provide housing for those experiencing homelessness, with support from the county and the city of Seaside.
Seaside's Sand Dollar Inn may soon be converted into supportive housing through the Homekey program with developer Anabasis, who says it will be in good hands once everything is approved.
The rooms of the former Sand Dollar Inn could be converted into 43 studio apartments for people experiencing long-term homelessness, many facing mental health challenges.
This project would be funded through California’s Homekey program, which is designed to provide permanent housing for the state’s most vulnerable populations.
"Being located in the commercial area is important because [of the] stores and other places that they need to go to," said Dean Sparks, a partner with Anabasis.
To move forward, the county has been asked to provide a formal letter of support, committing up to $5 million spanning five years to fund behavioral health and wraparound services for residents.
"Monterey County Board of Supervisors has been very interested in partnering with all of our local cities to bring additional housing online," said Monterey County District 4 Supervisor Wendy Root Askew.
This proposal comes in the wake of past concerns over the misuse of Homekey funds after a separate developer allegedly mismanaged funds for a similar project in King City.
"I just want the public and the government to know that that's one developer that's not, that doesn't reflect all of us that are pursuing this money," said Sparks.
The developer, Anabisis, is run by two veterans. Co-owner Dean Sparks says they started this to help out vulnerable communities.
"We wanted to blend real estate development with giving back to veterans and other vulnerable people. And it is a major part of the business. We're involved in other types of development as well, other residential development, but a core focus is the veteran and unhoused, and vulnerable populations," said Sparks.
Sparks says the family that owns Sand Dollar Inn is selling the property to reinvest in hospitality properties in the area. He is also hopeful their role in selling will contribute to improving their community.
Sparks says that the city of Seaside must be a co-applicant for the application to be valid, with the county providing an enforceable funding commitment.
"The city, the county, all of the partners would have to come together really over the next handful of days and weeks to pull together an application, decide if they want to pull an application together," said Askew.
KION reached out to the city of Seaside to see if it is on board with this project, but have not heard back as of this report.
Applications for this project are due May 30th. If all goes as planned, Sparks hopes to have people living in these units by 2026.
