PG&E Powers San Jose’s Largest Transitional Housing Project

A unique transitional housing site is closer to becoming a reality due to a join effort between PG&E and construction partners.

The three-story project in South San Jose is expected to support over 600 unhoused residents a year. The city began planning the $70 million project in 2021 to help tackle the city’s growing homeless population. In 2022, the city teamed with LifeMoves to make it a reality. PG&E has also worked closely with LifeMoves and construction counterpart DEVCON.

To energize the site, PG&E helped secure railroad permits and expedited the installation of a key power pole.

“We knew how important this was to the City of San Jose," said PG&E industrial power engineer Danny Miller. "As soon as the railroad permits came in, we got right to work. We had already set the meters and completed most of the underground work ahead of time. It was a true team effort."

PG&E is on a mission to streamline its new business connection process. This project is one example of how the company is making the process more efficient. 

Regional leaders regularly meet with customers, construction trades and officials to discuss how to speed up new business connections. PG&E will connect 2,000 more new customers to the electric grid in 2024 compared with 2023. 

“This development will impact many lives in San Jose. PG&E understands the importance of connecting critical housing projects to our grid,” said Teresa Alvarado, vice president for PG&Es South Bay Central Coast Region. "The faster we can do our part, the sooner our community’s most vulnerable residents will have a roof over their head.”

Once open, the project will have 204 rooms, private bathrooms and kitchens. That will make it the largest temporary housing site in San Jose.