Manteca is conducting a ribbon cutting to celebrate the opening of eight new transitional housing units and a dedicated dog kennel on Wednesday, Sept. 9, at 10 a.m. at the city’s emergency homeless shelter.

The event at 555 Industrial Park Drive is the second ribbon cutting next month for homeless related additions.

The day prior on Tuesday, Sept. 8, the city is conducting a ribbon cutting for the first three units of The Way Veterans Village being created in partnership with The Way Church at North Street and Roosevelt Avenue.

Ultimately, upwards of 15 units may be placed in the church’s parking lot.

The two projects will bring the number of beds for homeless individuals in Manteca to 87 when you include the three dorms already at 555 Industrial Park Drive that each have 25 beds.

That is in addition to the three shelters HOPE Family Ministries operate with one complex for families, one location for single moms and children plus transitional housing.

Combine the individual and family shelters and at any given time Manteca is able to provide shelter for over 160 people.

The dedicated dog kennel at 555 Industrial Park Drive will provide additional support for individuals and their pets as they work toward permanent housing.

Partners in the kennel and eight new transitional homes are Holding for Home, Jill Faso Antonini; Animal Protection League/The Pawstive Fix; His Way Refuge; Vault Moving & Portable Storage; and Fresh Start.

The Way Veterans Village will initially have two single bed units and one double bed unit that are referred to as WellNest pods.

The smallest 200 square-foot house includes a bedroom, bathroom, and a living area with a kitchenette.

The WellNest pods are ADA-accessible with high ceilings and can be powered via solar battery.

The county, in addition to passing the funds on to the city to be used by its partnership with The Way Church, is also committing to providing the cost to cover the rent and making on-site mental health services available for at least five years.

The Veterans Village project site offers existing infrastructure connections and will be improved with grading, utility hookups, pathways, green space, and drought-tolerant landscaping.

The design encourages neighborhood interaction while ensuring privacy, incorporates sustainable stormwater management practices, and provides safe, energy-efficient lighting.

The tenants would be veterans that are now homeless as well as those who are underhoused, unsuitably housed, or facing eviction.

To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletibn.com