SAN JOSE — Continuing efforts to tackle homelessness, the City Council has approved a mobile shower and laundry service for the homeless, and is poised this week to approve the purchase of two properties for a future affordable housing development.

The two proposed sites, located at 5647 Gallup Drive and 1171 Mesa Drive, were owned by the city’s redevelopment agency and now by its successor agency. The purchase price would be $1.1 million, according to a staff report, coming from a housing grant fund.

This isn’t the first time city officials have looked to transform former redevelopment agency properties into housing for the poor. Last year, the council approved buying and remodeling the 46-unit Plaza Hotel for homeless housing for five years. City leaders also approved the purchase of the Santa Clara Inn, a blighted property that attracted crime, and plan to convert 27 units for housing the homeless.

More than 4,060 people are homeless in San Jose and 69 percent of them are considered “unsheltered” — living on the streets, in storage structures, cars or homeless encampments.

The City Council on March 29 approved a mobile hygiene program called Project WeHOPE for people living on the streets. A trailer called “Dignity on Wheels” will travel to various locations in San Jose six days a week to offer 15-minute showers and a washing machine for small loads.

City officials estimate the truck will provide 30 showers and 18 laundry loads each day it travels. The program is expected to help 100 unsheltered persons.

The $350,000 program will run through June 2017, according to the city’s grant agreement.

But the city’s ultimate goal is getting people housed. And for those that have an apartment, it’s making sure they are not “cost-burdened” — meaning they’re not paying more than 30 percent of their income for housing. Roughly 44 percent of San Jose residents fall into that category.

That’s why city leaders are pushing to buy the two sites for more income-restricted housing. Average rents in San Jose have increased 37 percent in the past five years, the report said. The average rent for a two-bedroom apartment was $2,750 last year, and rent is projected to rise 7 percent to 10 percent in 2016.

“While the need for continued focus on homeless housing persists, some development opportunities may be more suitable for a mixed-income affordable housing,” said Assistant City Manager Dave Sykes. The two adjacent sites, which make up a total .38 acres, are “ideal” for this type of community, he said.

The two properties could provide 25 to 40 new affordable housing units.

Councilman Johnny Khamis, whose district includes the empty lots, supports the vision of placing affordable housing there, but says the plan should include space for a community center. The area’s been a magnet for criminal activity and Khamis hopes adding classes and a meeting room might attract healthier activities.

“I’m hoping we can serve two purposes with these lots and use this space wisely,” he said. “It was my predecessor’s hope a long time ago, and it’s still my hope today.”

Contact Ramona Giwargis at 408-920-5705. Follow her at Twitter.com/ramonagiwargis.