More permanent housing for homeless individuals is headed to Tulare County.
Madson Gardens, the site currently known as Tagus Gardens and located at 26442 N. Highway 99 in Tulare County, is set to be developed by UPholdings and RH Community Builders and is part of Project Homekey 2.0, the state’s latest effort to increase housing for the homeless.
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Tuesday, the Tulare County Board of Supervisors authorized a $1.5 million appropriation of its American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA) funds for the project.
According to county documents, Madson Gardens, once completed, will provide 56 units of permanent housing and will also include one room for a unit manager.
Tagus Gardens is a former motel that is currently being used by the county as an emergency shelter – as part of Project Roomkey – while the renovation plans are being finalized.
“The housing authority had originally bought it at the very beginning before there was even Project Homekey, which gave funds to purchase,” said Supervisor Amy Shuklian.
“Unfortunately, things didn’t work out the way we wanted them to with the property, but thanks to now the ARPA funding and UPholdings, we will be acquiring that and making the necessary and appropriate remodeling so that can become 56 permanent supportive housing units in Tulare County.”
The funding appropriation comes through the Tulare County American Rescue Plan Act Interim Recovery Plan, which was approved last August and set aside $1.5 million for the acquisition and renovation of motel facilities to be converted into permanent housing.
County documents state that Madson Gardens will house many individuals who live with disabilities, including mental illness, substance use issues, physical disabilities, HIV/AIDS and other chronic health conditions.
About half of the expected population is estimated to meet the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development’s definition of chronic homelessness.
Supportive services will be provided onsite to help residents.
The 2020 point-in-time count from the Kings/Tulare Homeless Alliance, Tulare County found 992 people who were homeless at that point.
