A San Jose hotel converted to homeless housing is switching operators, and residents are welcoming the change.

Nonprofit service provider WeHope will take over the Arena Hotel at 817 The Alameda starting Dec. 1 and replace HomeFirst. It will provide case management and temporarily manage the property, security and food until San Jose hires another company to oversee operations across its temporary shelters to centralize services and cut costs. The San Jose City Council last month unanimously approved a $2.7 million contract for WeHope from Oct. 1 through June 30, 2026.

“To bring WeHope in is a great fit. I really like their origin story,” Arena Hotel resident Chris Wess told San José Spotlight. “I’m super excited to see what happens, to see what their first day is going to look like.”

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