Soledad’s 16-Unit Sendero Interim Housing Site: County Proposes $519,513 Reallocation to Cover Remaining Costs

SOLEDAD, Calif. — October 27, 2026. Monterey County’s records offer a clearer picture of the Sendero interim housing project in Soledad: the 16-unit facility at 990 Los Coches Road received an occupancy permit in January 2026 and was fully operational with all 16 units occupied by its March opening, according to the county’s October staff report.

The latest financial proposal does not announce another 16 new homes. Instead, the October 20 Board of Supervisors agenda included two linked contract amendments that would redirect existing homelessness grants to pay remaining construction bills and facility-management costs.

Where the proposed $519,513 comes from

Item A 26-439 would add $519,513 to the county’s agreement with the City of Soledad, raising that agreement’s ceiling to $2,667,845. County staff describe the proposed sources as $395,136 transferred from a separate Step Up on Second Street services contract, $74,377 reallocated from the grant’s systems-support category and $50,000 from the Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention Program Round 6. This is a redistribution of available program funds, not $519,513 in entirely new state money.

What happens to support services?

The companion proposal, A 26-440, would cut Step Up’s allocation for Sendero services by approximately $395,136, leaving its related services budget at $1,322,046 and its overall agreement ceiling at $1,454,527.

The county says reduced needs for transitional staffing and shelter services follow some participants’ moves into other housing. Step Up would continue providing case management, housing navigation, rapid rehousing and related support through June 30, 2027, while an interim shelter component is scheduled to end April 30, 2027. These dates should not be confused with a planned closure of the 16-unit facility itself.

How Sendero began

The partnership between the county, City of Soledad and nonprofit service providers traces back to a $4,726,964 state Encampment Resolution Funding award in April 2024 for people living near the Salinas River. During construction, project participants received temporary shelter or other housing assistance. County staff say these new contract steps would have no impact on the county General Fund.

The October 20 meeting’s overall minutes were not finalized when checked. Thus, the amounts above describe proposed amendments rather than a newly verified final vote or executed payment.

Primary sources: Monterey County A 26-439, City of Soledad reallocation report; Monterey County A 26-440, Step Up amendment.

Published October 27, 2026. The county staff report describes the operating status as of March; check project partners for current services.

YOUR LOCAL NEWSPAPER NEEDS YOU

Help this community newspaper grow

Your support helps build coverage for the people and places this local newspaper serves.

Donate once by card ↗

Help Soledad News grow Help strengthen reporting on Soledad: community voices, important decisions and local life.

Support Soledad News

Choose how to support Soledad News:

Credit / Debit Card via Stripe

Choose an amount from $1. One-time support through the publisher's LINKERNO Stripe account.

Continue with PayPal Continue with Zelle

Zelle payments go to Vitaly Ataev Troshin. Please verify the recipient in your bank before sending. Availability depends on your bank.

Optional reader support. When possible, add “Soledad News” to the payment note. Contributions are not advertised as tax-deductible. Support does not influence editorial decisions.

Optional support through the publisher. Contributions are not advertised as tax-deductible and never buy editorial influence.

Soledad News — Your Community Newspaper

Have a correction, news tip, local announcement, or story to submit? Contact our editorial team. All submissions are reviewed before publication.