AFFORDABLE HOUSING MONTH
WHEREAS, safe and affordable housing is a basic human right and yet, each year, thousands of Silicon Valley families and individuals struggle to find an affordable home in this expensive housing market; and
WHEREAS, the City Council adopted the 6th Cycle Housing Element that outlines how 6,086 new housing units can be accommodated within Palo Alto by 2031, and includes implementation programs to increase the number affordable housing units; and
WHEREAS, the City actively pursues state and federal grant funds for affordable housing development, preservation, and rehabilitation, and
WHEREAS, the City remain s active in supporting affordable housing development and commits financial assistance for projects that include much needed lower-income units; and
WHEREAS, the City established a local limit on rental security deposits in Palo Alto to one and a half times (1.5x) the monthly rent for unfurnished units, which is lower than the limit in current state law; and
WHEREAS, the City supports families who live in Affordable Housing Com munities in Palo Alto with grant funding for afterschool homework clubs, summer enrichment programs and family reading nights,
WHEREAS, the City has applied State permanent local housing allocation monies toward supporting new affordable housing at Matadero Creek and supports the retention of affordable housing at Buena Vista Mobile Home Park; and
WHEREAS, the City has implemented meaningful actions to help those experiencing homelessness in Palo Alto through making permanent its safe parking ordinance , piloting an outreach worker program, piloting an overnight warming location, and providing funding and partnering to build an interim housing shelter on City-owned land; and
WHEREAS, many organizations throughout Silicon Valley are dedicated to providing safe, stable permanent and affordable housing to all members of the community; these organizations along with local agencies and community members have organized Affordable Housing Month; and
NOW, THEREFORE I, Greer Stone, Mayor of the City of Palo Alto, on behalf of the entire City Council, do hereby proclaim the month of May as Affordable Housing Month in the City of Palo Alto, to call upon our community to support affordable housing solutions and to recognize the successful efforts of the City of Palo Alto and its partners who seek to improve access to affordable housing in Palo Alto.
Presented: May 6, 2024
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Greer Stone
Mayor
Proclamation