Santa Clara County Homelessness Digest

A light rail train yard and station may soon shelter homeless residents in San Jose. Councilmembers are considering temporary housing sites at two VTA locations—Cerone and Cottle—to increase the interim housing stock, as homelessness in the city continues to climb.

Earlier this month, California’s governor announced a halt to the planned distribution of $1 billion from the Homelessness Housing, Assistance and Prevention grant program, but Santa Clara County won't lose a dime.

Gov. Gavin Newsom is not pleased with local leaders' plans to reduce homelessness, and will hold back state funding until they take more aggressive action: “Everyone has to do better.”

Palo Alto’s MOVE project operates a dozen safe spaces for those who live in RVs; it includes 24-hour access, showers, laundry and library … plus access to bayside recreation.

Parked RVs have been dispersed from all but three miles of public roadway in Mountain View; those living in vehicles report stress and confusion under new rules.

It’s a common misconception that a physical address is required to cast a ballot. For individuals living in shelters or encampments, California offers several options for participating in local elections.

As of Sept. 23, 167 homeless people have died on the streets in Santa Clara County, most of them in San Jose. This may be another record-breaking year for these often preventable deaths.

The city of Mountain View has officially settled a federal lawsuit challenging ordinances that prohibit oversized vehicles from parking on most public roadways. The lawsuit took aim at a pair of ordinances—originally passed in 2019 and then affirmed a voter referendum in 2020.

San Jose has provided 4,000 low-cost units, and more than 800 new units will be made available for seniors by next spring. But what’s needed is tens of thousands of apartments, says Geoffrey Morgan, president and CEO of First Community Housing.

The settlement will wrap up a more than year-long legal dispute over the city’s dual ordinances—banning oversized vehicles from parking on “narrow streets” that are 40 feet or less in width and any street with a bike lane.

A program under the auspices of the Downtown Streets Team is creating full-time, paying transitional jobs for formerly unhoused clients. The venture, Streets Team Enterprises, goes beyond the organization’s foundational model.

First Congregational Church of Palo Alto got the go-ahead to launch a "safe parking" program for unhoused individuals after the from the Palo Alto City Council rejected an appeal from the church’s neighbors.

The First Congregational Church program is Palo Alto’s latest “safe parking” proposal, which aims to provide secure parking and assistance for unhoused individuals. Senior pastor David Howell believes the spot is well-suited for such a program. “We really think once it starts, people will realize it’s really not intrusive,” Howell said.

More than 100 people living in San Jose’s Columbus Park have about five weeks before the city sweeps the area, which is in the flight path of the Mineta San Jose International Airport. The FAA is threatening to withhold millions in funding if the city doesn’t clear the site.

The Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors this week unanimously approved $29 million to fund three housing projects which will add 332 homes to San Jose, Morgan Hill and Sunnyvale.

San Jose has more money to spend this fiscal year and officials are prioritizing homelessness, public safety, fighting blight, environmental sustainability and equitable economic recovery.

Despite pandemic fears, Santa Clara County has experienced a smaller increase in homelessness than expected, and saw a decrease in unsheltered individuals in the first homeless census in three years.

A 2020 ballot measure approved by San Jose voters to fund affordable housing and fight the city’s homeless crisis has brought in an unexpected $65 million surplus.

Tenants still waiting on rent relief will now likely have more time before facing eviction. The Legislature voted to extend eviction protections through June 30. The bill now heads to the governor’s desk for his signature.

San Mateo County has made a bold pledge to end homelessness by the end of 2022. It sounds like a stretch, but this is San Mateo County, with about 900 people in the streets and another 600 in shelters—a smaller population than some L.A. neighborhoods.

California Republicans are advocating for a package of bills to tackle homelessness and mental health issues—but they claim their approach is more fiscally responsible.

Volunteers fanned out across the state for the first statewide count of California’s homeless population since 2020. The number is expected to be higher, raising more questions about the impact of the state’s increased spending.

Senator Alex Padilla will introduce legislation to push some $531 billion into affordable housing projects around the country. The bill could dramatically boost federal aid for homelessness and a shortage of affordable housing.

As hundreds of volunteers helped count people living on Silicon Valley streets, advocates say many are being overlooked.

In the past year, the city of Milpitas has been strengthening efforts to support unhoused residents. In November 2020, the Milpitas City Council voted to contract with Santa Clara County to provide street team outreach, case management services, and assessments.

Gov. Gavin Newsom is doling out $50 million to help cities and counties clear out camps and house people living outdoors. San Jose, Richmond and Santa Cruz are among those cities that might benefit.

Homeless advocates are concerned that a cleanup notice has prompted homeless residents along Guadalupe River to leave their camps, which could affect an important census count.

Two years after adopting a multifaceted approach to the local homelessness crisis, Santa Clara County and San Jose are making some headway.

San Jose officials and homeless advocates celebrated Feb. 9 as the city broke ground on a new temporary housing project in the police parking lot. The prefab shelter will be ready for occupants by the fall.

City leaders want to transform one of the region’s largest homeless encampments into a dog park, disc golf course and public garden. The sprawling camp must be cleared by June 30, per an order by the Federal Aviation Administration.

Created in 2020, Hope for the Unhoused is running full steam as an official nonprofit, which has opened the door to funds, including a $15,000 grant from Santa Clara County. Its purpose: to find a way to end homelessness in Milpitas.

With COVID-19 heading into its third year and plenty of struggles and victories ahead, here’s what to expect in 2022.