A young Indian American has converted his parents’ struggling motel in Santa Rosa, Calif., into a 104-room facility to provide housing for chronically homeless people and veterans, the first such center in the nation.
Akash Kalia, 24, will be honored by the city of Santa Rosa Apr. 25, at its 35th annual Merit Awards ceremony. Kalia will receive a community service merit award.
“A hundred people don’t have to worry about where they’re going to sleep tonight,” Kalia told India-West. “This is a highly vulnerable population. We’re taking people directly from the street, and helping them to transition back into society.”
The Palms Inn 10,000 square foot lobby hosts a number of support services for the center’s residents, including a library, recreation center complete with a pool table, and a mini-market featuring pre-made healthy meals. Kalia is working with the Santa Rosa Health Clinic to get a health services kiosk in the lobby for basic health care needs. The center will break ground on a community garden Apr. 3. Local nurseries have donated supplies so that residents can grow their own fresh produce.
Jennielynn Holmes, director of shelter and housing at Catholic Charities, Santa Rosa, told India-West Kalia was providing an important service for the local community. Sonoma County has a homeless population of 3,100 people; 2,000 live on the streets.
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