CHICO — Two years ago, the Jesus Center moved the very first residents into Chico’s Pallet shelters.
Its was born from conflicting interests, fulfilling a requirement for Warren v. Chico to provide a suitable place for homeless people to stay without fear of criminal punishment — along with beds at the Torres Community Shelter.
But for Jesus Center Director Amber Abney-Bass, the 177 Pallet shelters that her organization manages are part of a continued mission to lift people up.
“We are involved in this project today for the same reason we got in it two years ago … we have a very deep, strong belief that people are deserving of a better life, and that people that capable and that people are worthy,” Abney-Bass said.
The campus is legally defined as an emergency non-congregate housing site. It’s been called the Pallet shelters after its manufacturer. More than one year passed before it was given a formal name — Genesis.
Beyond whatever name, its existence made a home for hundreds of people in two years — a locked door, heating, air conditioning, food, showers, laundry and wraparound services.
In that time, 368 people spent at least one night at Genesis — 78% having been homeless for more than one year.
This newspaper gave Abney-Bass a prompt to share with some Genesis residents, asking “How did moving into Genesis change the way you spend your time during the day and night?”
The responses she received:
“I don’t have to steal food anymore.”
“Have more time to go out and not worrying about my stuff being stolen.”
“I don’t have to sell drugs anymore.”
“Exercise and sleep a lot more.”
“Helps me look for jobs during the day.”
“I have more time to search and apply for permitting housing.”
“I can show up to my appointments feeling clean because of the showers and laundry services.”
“I can spend more time with my kids and grandkids.”
“I sleep peacefully at night.”
Lessons learned
In two years, operating Genesis also brought wisdom to the folks in charge.
The design of the site has been working so far, but Abney-Bass said much of the layout of Genesis prioritized safety over softer, trauma-informed design decisions — for good reason: 282 calls for first responders have been made since opening.
Abney-Bass said early disputes on the site did not greatly affect its overall operation.
Affordable housing availability continues to be a bottleneck for people looking to “graduate” from their Pallet shelter to permanent housing, according to Abney-Bass.
“In order to house the largest number of people out at that site, it will happen with increased (Section 8) voucher resources, or increased willing landlords,” Abney-Bass said. “We need more landlords to support people’s return to housing.”
Many people at Genesis are currently on waitlists for affordable housing, but may lose momentum if a “next step” isn’t available.
“How terrible is it to think about this idea that we have people who are ready to move out of shelter, but they have no opportunity to,” Abney-Bass said. “We’re at that spot out at that site, where we have people saying ‘I gotta get the heck out of here.’ … they are housing ready.”
Looking forward
Abney-Bass said she doesn’t believe functional zero homelessness will be achieved by expiration of the Warren v. Chico settlement agreement; that research would suggest a continued need for shelter like Genesis after the settlement period.
New housing and shelter resources coming online in the next two to three years, however, may change how Genesis is operated.
Abney-Bass said the Jesus Center would have no question in continuing to be involved in Genesis in the future.
“One of the things we talk about is we don’t believe in just the warehousing of humans. We believe in leveraging this time together to help heal, and heal in a bunch of ways,” Abney-Bass said. “I don’t see any reason now that the Jesus Center would question continuing to be involved in the next iteration.”
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