CITY COUNCIL ACTION REQUEST
DEPARTMENT(S)
Housing
CEQA
Mitigated Negative
Declaration for
Emergency Interim
Housing Programs
(Resolution No.
RES2023-380), File
No. ER 22-198.
COORDINATION
City Attorney’s Office,
City Manager’s Budget
Office, Planning,
Building, and Code
Enforcement
Department, and
Public Works
Department.
Director Approval
/s/
Erik L. Soliván
COUNCIL DISTRICT(S)
Citywide
CMO Approval
6/4/25
SUBJECT: Extension of the Declaration and Proclamation of a Local Emergency for the Homeless Shelter Crisis in the City of San José
RECOMMENDATION
Adopt a resolution finding the continued existence of a homeless shelter crisis in the City of San José pursuant to, and in accordance with, the provisions of the California Government Code section 8698 et seq., and renewing the proclamation of a local emergency pursuant to, and in accordance with the provisions of California Government Code sections 8558 and 8630, the San José City Charter, and San José Municipal Code caused by conditions and threatened conditions of homelessness in the City of San José.
BASIS FOR RECOMMENDATION
Original Homeless Shelter Crisis Declaration and Proclamation
On October 24, 2023, City Council adopted the homeless shelter crisis declaration and proclamation of a local emergency caused by conditions and threatened conditions of homelessness in the City. On June 18, 2024, and again on December 17, 2024, City Council approved extending the homeless shelter crisis declaration and proclamation, finding the continued existence of a homeless shelter crisis in the City. The current homeless shelter crisis declaration and proclamation City Council resolution require staff to renew any recommended extensions every six months to renew a proclamation of a local emergency.
Request to Extend the Homeless Shelter Crisis Declaration and Proclamation
The staff recommendation in this memorandum continues the homeless shelter crisis declaration and proclamation of local emergency to allow the City to use its emergency powers under state law, the City Charter, and the San José Municipal Code to streamline and expedite regulatory and procurement processes and reduce costs and timelines for developing emergency shelter and interim housing, hotel leasing, supportive parking, and supportive outdoor sleeping sites, under the above all strategy to address the shelter crisis.
Over the past six months, the City has made significant strides in expanding supply in the shelter management system, including the following:
• Opened the Branham Lane Emergency Interim Housing site with 168 units (216 beds) in February 2025, the Berryessa Safe Parking for Recreational Vehicles program with 86 oversized vehicle slots in March 2025, and the Via Del Oro Emergency Interim Housing site with 135 units (150 beds) in April 2025. Upon opening, these sites focused on reducing the impacts of encampments and lived-in vehicles in the areas surrounding the sites and on other high-priority areas throughout the City while providing efficient and effective operations.
• Advanced the development of 108 interim housing units (144 beds) at the Rue Ferrari Emergency Interim Housing expansion project, with the goal of completion in September 2025.
COUNCIL AGENDA: 6/17/25
FILE: 25-698
ITEM: 2.31
• Broke ground on the Cherry Ave and Cerone Emergency Interim Housing sites, which will add 290 units (336 beds) to the City’s interim housing portfolio upon their completion in September 2025. In addition, the City broke ground on the Taylor Street Navigation Hub, the City’s first tent-based outdoor shelter program.
• Negotiated master leasing opportunities for five underutilized hotels throughout the City that will add 251 units of shelter to the interim housing portfolio and will prioritize individuals and families encamped along waterways in the direct discharge project area.
• Advanced shared initiatives with county, state, and regional agencies, resulting in greater resource alignment and execution for joint projects addressing unsheltered homelessness along waterways and partnerships for interim housing development on shared land.
• Continued exploring modular housing, congregate shelter, and supportive outdoor sleeping sites by leveraging research and best practices from other jurisdictions.
Collectively, these efforts aim to increase emergency shelter and interim housing capacity to advance the City’s goals for addressing homelessness.
Priorities During the Extended Homeless Shelter Crisis Declaration and Proclamation
If the staff recommendation in this memorandum is approved, this will allow the City to sustain progress and overcome ongoing barriers to implementation, including focusing continued efforts to accelerate and expand the development of emergency shelter and interim housing, supportive parking, and safe sleeping opportunities, including 1,089 units by July 2025, targeting an increase in shelter bed availability and housing options specific to those exiting the waterways. Key priorities include:
• Mitigating environmental impacts by addressing encampments near waterways and lived-in vehicles near storm drains that contribute to pollution and risk non-compliance with the City’s National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System’s Municipal Regional Stormwater Permit Direct Discharge Trash Control Program.
• Finalizing construction of 398 interim housing units (480 beds) at Rue Ferrari, Cherry, and Cerone Emergency Interim Housing sites and 56 tent-based shelter spaces at the Taylor Street Navigation Hub.
• Use emergency procurement powers to secure site operators to manage up to 56 supportive outdoor sleeping spaces at the Taylor Street Navigation Hub and up to 251 master leased motel rooms to support the City’s waterway strategy and add more shelter operation sites during the period of the declaration.
• Continue to locate and accelerate approvals of potential additional sites.
By prioritizing these efforts, the Housing Department will ensure that emergency shelter solutions remain central to the City's strategy for mitigating the impacts of homelessness, aligning with broader goals to achieve functional zero unsheltered homelessness while leveraging new opportunities for collaboration and innovation.
Additionally, current federal budget adjustments may also result in a reduction in federal and state resource allocations. This homeless shelter crisis extension allows the City to maintain dexterity in providing the necessary solutions to meet any potential budget or policy shifts.
COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION AND INPUT
No commission recommendation or input is associated with this action.
COST AND FUNDING SOURCE
There are no costs associated with the recommended action in this memorandum.
FOR QUESTIONS CONTACT: Cupid Alexander, Deputy Director, Housing Department, at [email protected].