Santa Clara Housing Advocates
We support low-barrier interim housing in our neighborhood
The County of Santa Clara and LifeMoves are working to create more interim housing for unhoused people. This is a need shown in the Community Plan to End Homelessness. We propose an interim housing program at the corner of Benton Street and Lawrence Expressway in Santa Clara. The program that will be proposed at the April 25, 2023 City Council meeting will have 30 family units (90 rooms) that could house approximately 120 people. It would also have on-site support services for the people staying there. Each person would have their own room and restroom. They could stay and be part of the community while they find long-term housing. The program would help people going through the hardest time in their lives recover from life on the streets, giving them a chance for better health and stability.
OFFICE OF SUPPORTIVE HOUSING
UNIT DESIGN
Individual units with private bathrooms & kitchenettes
COMMUNITY SPACES
Shared space for activities and larger kitchens
EXTERIOR
Modular structure will create a modern exterior
STRUCTURE
LOW BARRIER
Allowing service to the people who need it most
SUPPORTIVE SERVICES
Site identified as under used land owned by the county
SAFETY MEASURES
Secure entry, onsite staff 24/7 including security
PROGRAM DESIGN
Our leaders have the responsibility to do the right thing for everyone who lives in this city, not just the ones with housing
It's time to move beyond words and show commitment to making things better with actions
STAFF
2023
City & County government requested staff to find options for interim housing. Staff identified property at Benton & Lawrence as under-used land.
CITY
APR 25 & MAY 2
The City Council heard presentations from staff and listened to over 5 hours of comments from the public, then voted 4-3 to move forward
HOMEKEY APPLICATION
June
In partnership with LifeMoves, staff put together an application for the state HomeKey grant which this project relies on
CITY
TBD
After receiving the HomeKey grant, the City Council will vote again to approve the final details
COMMUNITY
FEB 13 - MAR 22
Staff held 4 community meetings where they took questions and comments and altered the plan to better reflect the needs of the community
COUNTY
JUNE 6
The County Board of Supervisors voted with unanimous consent to contribute funds, lease the land, and cosponsor the HomeKey application for this project
HOMEKEY GRANT
TBD
Keep an eye out for an announcement from the state that this project will be awarded funds from the HomeKey program
OPENING
2 YeARS
If all goes according to the preliminary timeline from staff, the family interim housing facility on the corner of Benton & Lawrence will open about 2 years later
