From: Aram James
To: Shikada, Ed; Council, City; Human Relations Commission; [email protected]; Gerry Gras; Greg Tanaka Subject: Re: Residents claim San Jose homeless housing site unsafe, unhealthy Date: Monday, August 11, 2025 10:05:15 AM
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links.
Item # 11 on tonight’s consent calendar
On Wed, Aug 6, 2025 at 11:23
AM Aram James <[email protected]> wrote:
Will the city of Palo Alto face similar problems with their Homekey project?
Is our city staff and city council sufficiently overseeing the Palo Alto project to ensure that our project will not be the lastest in a series of building boondoggles ( like our so-called Public Safety Building) ?
Source: San José Spotlight Palo Alto feuds with contractor over public safety building - San José Spotlight
https://share.google/8NyzMtDc8tL2gkI9R
Homekey Palo Alto is a new modular interim housing shelter with the capacity to serve over 200 individuals annually with on-site support services. The project is being codeveloped by the City of Palo Alto and LifeMoves.
Located at 1237 San Antonio Road in Palo Alto near the Palo Alto Baylands,
Residents claim San Jose homeless housing site unsafe, unhealthy - San José Spotlight https://sanjosespotlight.com/residents-claim-san-jose-homeless-housing-site-unsafe- unhealthy/
From: Aram James
To: Lythcott-Haims, Julie
Cc: [email protected]; Gennady Sheyner; Emily Mibach; Shikada, Ed; Council, City; [email protected]; Stump, Molly
Subject: Residents claim San Jose homeless housing site unsafe, unhealthy - San José Spotlight Date: Monday, August 11, 2025 7:13:05 AM
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links.
Item # 12 on tonight’s consent calendar. Should it be pulled for discussion? Prato said that LifeMoves investigated these concerns immediately and found standing water in the water heaters was causing the smell. They have flushed affected buildings and the water provider has told them the water supply is “safe for drinking and bathing,” she said.
https://sanjosespotlight.com/residents-claim-san-jose-homeless-housing-site-unsafe-unhealthy/ From: Aram James
To: Shikada, Ed; GRP-City Council; Gennady Sheyner; Emily Mibach; Council, City; Diana Diamond; [email protected]; Lythcott-Haims, Julie; Justin Zalkin; Veenker, Vicki; [email protected]; Roberta Ahlquist; Lotus Fong; WILPF Peninsula Palo Alto; Palo Alto Free Press; Kaloma Smith; Human Relations Commission; Palo Alto Renters" Association
Subject: Re: Life moves on the consent calendar for August 11, 2025 Date: Sunday, August 10, 2025 11:03:54 AM
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On Sun, Aug 10, 2025 at 10:42 AM Aram James <[email protected]> wrote:
LifeMoves has faced criticism regarding its interim housing programs, particularly the Mountain View site, which has influenced public perception of its new project in Palo Alto. ()
Palo Alto’s Interim Housing Project
In June 2023, the Palo Alto City Council approved a nine-year lease with LifeMoves for an 88-unit interim housing complex at 1237 San Antonio Road, near the Baylands. The project is modeled after LifeMoves’ Mountain View site and aims to provide shelter and support services to unhoused individuals. The council approved the agreement despite concerns about LifeMoves’ track record with its transitional housing in Mountain View.
Community Feedback on LifeMoves’ Programs
Critics argue that LifeMoves’ interim housing model has not effectively met its goals. An investigation found that the Mountain View program placed clients in permanent housing at a significantly lower rate than other interim shelter programs in the county. Residents reported issues such as insufficient support in finding housing, unaddressed grievances, and mishandled conflicts by staff.
Additionally, some residents of LifeMoves’ safe parking sites in San Jose expressed dissatisfaction with the program. They reported tight rules, lack of supportive services, and instances where residents were removed from the site for minor infractions. One resident claimed that LifeMoves staff harassed her more than the police did when she was on the street.
City Council’s Perspective
Despite these concerns, Palo Alto’s City Council decided to move forward with the project, emphasizing the need for interim housing solutions. Council members acknowledged the challenges faced by LifeMoves but believed that the project could provide much-needed shelter and support to unhoused individuals in the community.
Summary
Palo Alto’s Decision: The city approved LifeMoves’ interim housing project despite concerns about the nonprofit’s track record.()
Community Feedback: Residents have raised issues about LifeMoves’ programs, including low housing placement rates and concerns about staff conduct.() City’s Stance: The City Council believes the project is a necessary step in addressing homelessness, despite the challenges.()
From: Aram James
To: Shikada, Ed; GRP-City Council; Gennady Sheyner; Emily Mibach; Council, City; Diana Diamond; [email protected]; Lythcott-Haims, Julie; Justin Zalkin; Veenker, Vicki; [email protected]; Roberta Ahlquist; Lotus Fong; WILPF Peninsula Palo Alto; Palo Alto Free Press; Kaloma Smith; Human Relations Commission; Palo Alto Renters" Association
Subject: Life moves on the consent calendar for August 11, 2025 Date: Sunday, August 10, 2025 10:42:56 AM
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links.
LifeMoves has faced criticism regarding its interim housing programs, particularly the Mountain View site, which has influenced public perception of its new project in Palo Alto.() Palo Alto’s Interim Housing Project
In June 2023, the Palo Alto City Council approved a nine-year lease with LifeMoves for an 88-unit interim housing complex at 1237 San Antonio Road, near the Baylands. The project is modeled after LifeMoves’ Mountain View site and aims to provide shelter and support services to unhoused individuals. The council approved the agreement despite concerns about LifeMoves’ track record with its transitional housing in Mountain View.
Community Feedback on LifeMoves’ Programs
Critics argue that LifeMoves’ interim housing model has not effectively met its goals. An investigation found that the Mountain View program placed clients in permanent housing at a significantly lower rate than other interim shelter programs in the county. Residents reported issues such as insufficient support in finding housing, unaddressed grievances, and mishandled conflicts by staff.
Additionally, some residents of LifeMoves’ safe parking sites in San Jose expressed dissatisfaction with the program. They reported tight rules, lack of supportive services, and instances where residents were removed from the site for minor infractions. One resident claimed that LifeMoves staff harassed her more than the police did when she was on the street.
City Council’s Perspective
Despite these concerns, Palo Alto’s City Council decided to move forward with the project, emphasizing the need for interim housing solutions. Council members acknowledged the challenges faced by LifeMoves but believed that the project could provide much-needed shelter and support to unhoused individuals in the community.
Summary
Palo Alto’s Decision: The city approved LifeMoves’ interim housing project despite concerns about the nonprofit’s track record.()
Community Feedback: Residents have raised issues about LifeMoves’ programs, including low housing placement rates and concerns about staff conduct.() City’s Stance: The City Council believes the project is a necessary step in addressing homelessness, despite the challenges.()