The City of Lodi’s push to expand transitional housing received major support last week with a $500,000 federal investment.
On April 22, Rep. Josh Harder, D-Tracy, visited downtown Lodi to present city officials with a check supporting the second phase of the Reimagined Housing on Main project.
The site, located at 22 S. Main St., will provide 40 transitional housing units for individuals working toward permanent stability. The new funding will help complete rehabilitation of the building’s third floor, improve the street frontage and build a new courtyard.
Located in a three-story, 12,000-square-foot building originally constructed in 1962 as a hotel, the structure previously offered 44 rental units and has undergone major renovations in recent years including a new roof, updated flooring, remodeled interiors and enhanced security systems.
“The model to address homelessness in Lodi has always been transitional housing,” Harder told Lodi News-Sentinel. “It’s about more than just getting folks off the street. It’s about helping them get back on their feet, and that’s what this building is all about.”
The Reimagined Housing project prioritizes individuals who are already employed or who have a steady source of income. Tenants will have access to support services and be permitted to stay for up to 24 months while working toward permanent housing solutions.
Housing referrals will be made through local agencies such as Lodi’s Access Center on Sacramento Street and the Salvation Army Hope Harbor. To qualify, applicants must be Medi-Cal recipients and enrolled in an existing shelter or housing program.
Mayor Cameron Bregman acknowledged the years of work needed to move projects like Reimagined Housing from vision to reality.
“These projects are not easy tasks,” Bregman was quoted in the News-Sentinel.. “They take years to complete, but they matter. And anything that’s worthwhile takes a while.”
Launched in 2021 as part of the San Joaquin Community Response to Homelessness strategy, Reimagined Housing aims to reduce barriers to crisis services and expand access to affordable housing. In 2023, Lodi partnered with the Health Plan of San Joaquin to accelerate the project, securing more than $3 million in grants from the San Joaquin County Health Commission and Regional Early Action Planning funds.
According to the 2024 San Joaquin County Point-In-Time Count Report, Lodi reported 416 individuals experiencing homelessness, with 262 classified as unsheltered and 154 as sheltered. This marks an 18% increase in the city’s total homeless population since 2022, along with a 25% rise in the number of unsheltered individuals. Lodi now has the second-highest homeless population among the seven incorporated cities in San Joaquin County. Countywide, homelessness surged by 104% over the same period, highlighting the growing regional crisis.
Beyond addressing homelessness, city leaders hope the Main Street location will fuel broader downtown revitalization efforts. Bregman pointed to the project’s potential to spark new development in an area that has faced persistent challenges.
“We’ve had a huge issue with this area,” he said, according to the News Sentinel. “Being able to spur that type of growth with development is absolutely necessary to help expand our downtown and economic growth.”
Harder agreed, highlighting Main Street’s historic role in Lodi’s growth.
“Main Street has a history going back to Lodi’s roots as a railroad town,” Harder said. “An investment like this isn’t just important for the homeless folks trying to get into transitional housing — it’s important for the whole city.”
City officials said the project has been in the works for at least two years, with collaboration among city, county, and state agencies. Rehabilitation work is currently underway, focusing on renovations to the building’s third floor and common areas, with a goal of opening the new transitional housing units by the end of 2025, according to FOX40.COM.
As Reimagined Housing nears completion, Lodi officials say they will increase outreach efforts to ensure eligible individuals are connected with new housing opportunities.
“That’s the first people we should be offering services to — people who want to change their lives,” Bregman told FOX40.com.