Outlook
FW: Motel/EIH Program: Honor the city's promises to unhoused San Jose residents From City Clerk < [email protected]>
Date Wed 11/19/2025 8:06 AM
To Agendadesk <[email protected]>
From: Emma Hartung
Sent: Tuesday, November 18, 2025 7:48 PM
To: The Office of Mayor Matt Mahan <[email protected]>; District1 <[email protected]>; District2 <[email protected]>; District3 <[email protected]>; District4 <[email protected]>; District5 <[email protected]>; District 6 <[email protected]>; District7 <[email protected]>; Districts < [email protected]>; District9 < [email protected]>; District 10 <[email protected]>; City Clerk <[email protected]>
Subject: Motel/EIH Program: Honor the city's promises to unhoused San Jose residents [External Email. Do not open links or attachments from untrusted sources. Learn morel You don't often get email from earn why this is important Dear Councilmembers,
My name is Emma Hartung and I'm a San Jose resident, educator, and member of SURJ Santa Clara County.
I firmly believe that we can and must build a San Jose where all of us can thrive and where we uplift and support our neighbors during hard times. That's why I'm writing to urge you to ensure that the city of San Jose honors the promises made to Columbus Park residents and to many unhoused residents since then, both in person and on live TV, that they can stay in the motel program for up to a year.
The option to move to an EIH (tiny home) is certainly an option folks should be offered as space permits, and even more crucially, we must create pathways to get folks into truly permanent affordable housing. But threatening to kick residents out of the motel program that they are only just beginning to adjust to if they assess that the ElHs offered do not meet their needs (e.g. because it is far from work, school or support systems) only further destabilizes residents who the city has already displaced.
SURJ believes in treating everyone with dignity and agency. These bait and switch tactics do not lead to increased trust and stability. We strongly believe motel residents should be given the time and transparency of information to make an informed and unrushed decision on whether or not to move to EIH, and maintain the option to stay in the motel program for the full year.
Thank you,
Emma Hartung
This message is from outside the City email system. Do not open links or attachments from untrusted sources.
Outlook
FW: Motel Program & EIH for Unhoused San Jose Residents From City Clerk < [email protected]>
Date Wed 11/19/2025 8:06 AM
To Agendadesk <[email protected]>
From: Steve McAuley
Sent: Tuesday, November 18, 2025 7:52 PM
To: District1 <[email protected]>; District2 <[email protected]>; District3 <[email protected]>; District4 <[email protected]>; District < [email protected]>; District 6 <[email protected]>; District7 [email protected]>; District <[email protected]>; District9 < [email protected]>; District 10 <[email protected]>: City Clerk <[email protected]> Cc: wehearyou
Subject: Motel Program & EIH for Unhoused San Jose Residents [External Email. Do not open links or attachments from untrusted sources. Learn more] Mayor Mahan amff Council Members,
My name is Kelly "Steve" McAuley from District 3 and I am a member of SURJ Santa Clara County and the Silicon Valley Democratic Socialists of America (DSA). I'm not at your meeting in my chili pepper today, but I still have something to say to you.
SURJ and the SVDSA believe that treating people like pawns never mirrors dignity or agency, nor does it lead to increased trust and stability. Given this, we believe motel residents should be given the time and transparency of information to make an informed and unrushed decision on whether or not to move to EH.
People displaced from Columbus Park were told by HomeFirst, in multiple listening sessions at the park ahead of the sweep, that if they enrolled in the interim motel program, they would be able to stay for one year.
Moving is a huge adjustment for any person and adjusting to living in a motel is no different. And now, the city, through Home First, is changing the rules of the game mid-stream.
This new contract means:
The upheaval of moving
Losing community
New case managers
New rules
New environment
Some EIH are in food and transit deserts and away from residents' support Residents need more time and information to make an informed choice.
Please remember, you are human too. Those of us who don't have as much as you and your friends are still deserving of places to be safe.
Thanks for your time. Now please stop helping the rich and represent those of us who elected you... before we change our minds.
Have the kind of day you deserve,
Kelly "Steve" McAuley
This message is from outside the City email system. Do not open links or attachments from untrusted sources.
Outlook
FW: Motel Program & EIH for Unhoused San Jose Residents From City Clerk < [email protected]>
Date Wed 11/19/2025 8:07 AM
To Agendadesk <[email protected]>
From: Anne McMahon -
Sent: Tuesday, November 18, 2025 7:55 PM
To: The Office of Mayor Matt Mahan <[email protected]>; District1 <[email protected]>; District2 <District2 @sanjoseca.gov>; District3 <district3 @sanjoseca.gov>; District4 <[email protected]>; District5 <District5 @sanjoseca.gov>; District 6 <[email protected]>; District7 <[email protected]>; District8 <[email protected]»; District9 <[email protected]>; District 10 < [email protected]>; City Clerk <[email protected]>
Subject: RE: Motel Program & EIH for Unhoused San Jose Residents [External Email. Do not open links or attachments from untrusted sources. Learn more] You don't often get email from Leam why this is important Dear Councilmember,
My name is Anne McMahon and I'm a resident of Santa Clara County and a member of SURJ Santa Clara County.
People displaced from Columbus Park were told by HomeFirst, in multiple listening sessions at the park ahead of the sweep, that if they enrolled in the interim motel program, they would be able to stay for one year.
Moving is a huge adjustment for any person and adjusting to living in a motel is no different. And now, the city, through Home First, is changing the rules of the game mid- stream.
The city is now requiring motel residents to sign a contract saying:
• they will move to EIH within 3 business days of a placement becoming available, - or-
• if they don't sign the contract, they will be exited from the motel program.
People gave up their shelters and personal belongings. Some people made the very difficult decision to sell their RV home for the promise of (only) one year at a motel site. The city would be better served to treat unhoused residents as partners in solutions rather than as problems to be solved.
SURJ believes in treating everyone with dignity and agency. These bait and switch tactics do not lead to increased trust and stability. We strongly believe motel residents should be given the time and transparency of information to make an informed and unrushed decision on whether or not to move to EIH, and maintain the option to stay in the motel program for the full year.
Sincerely,
Anne McMahon
This message is from outside the City email system. Do not open links or attachments from untrusted sources.
Outlook
FW: Keep Your Promise to Residents
From City Clerk < [email protected]>
Date Wed 11/19/2025 8:07 AM
To Agendadesk <[email protected]>
From: Lori Katcher
Sent: Tuesday, November 18, 2025 8:48 PM
To: City Clerk <[email protected]>
Subject: Keep Your Promise to Residents
[External Email. Do not open links or attachments from untrusted sources. Learn morel Dear Mayor and Councilmembers,
My name is Lori Katcher and I'm a District 6 resident and a member of SURJ Santa Clara County.
People displaced from Columbus Park were told by HomeFirst, in multiple listening sessions at the park ahead of the sweep, that if they enrolled in the interim motel program, they would be able to stay for one year.
Moving is a huge adjustment for any person and adjusting to living in a motel is no different. And now, the city, through Home First, is changing the rules of the game mid-stream.
The city is now requiring motel residents to sign a contract saying:
• they will move to EIH within 3 business days of a placement becoming available, -or- • if they don't sign the contract, they will be exited from the motel program.
Residents need transparency and agency in making decisions for themselves that meet their needs and lead to better outcomes. Without this, our tax dollars are wasted. The city would be better served to treat unhoused residents as partners in solutions rather than as problems to be solved.
SURJ believes in treating everyone with dignity and agency. We strongly believe motel residents should be given the time and transparency of information to make an informed and unrushed decision on whether or not to move to EH, and maintain the option to stay in the motel program for the full year.
Sincerely,
Lori Katcher
Lead Organizer, SURJ SCC
This message is from outside the City email system. Do not open links or attachments from untrusted sources.
Outlook
FW: Motel Program & EIH for Unhoused San Jose Residents From City Clerk < [email protected]>
Date Wed 11/19/2025 8:07 AM
To Agendadesk <[email protected]>
From: Sarah Hollingsworth
Sent: Tuesday, November 18, 2025 8:41 PM
To: The Office of Mayor Matt Mahan <[email protected]>; District1 <[email protected]>; District2 <[email protected]>; District3 <[email protected]>; District4 <[email protected]>; District5 <[email protected]>; District 6 <[email protected]>; District <[email protected]>; Districts <[email protected]>; District9 <[email protected]>; District 10 <[email protected]>; City Clerk <[email protected]>
Subject: RE: Motel Program & EIH for Unhoused San Jose Residents [External Email. Do not open links or attachments from untrusted sources. Learn more] Dear City Council Members,
My name is Sarah, and I am an active voter with SURJ Santa Clara County. I have been working with Columbus Park residents for the past several months prior to, during, and after the horrific sweep that occurred in August and September.
First, I want to reiterate that advocates like myself watched many residents who were at work miss vital information and opportunities because Home First and City workers came by in the middle of the day, often for only a couple of hours, and leave no information for people who were not home.
Sufficient time and outreach was not made. City workers did not visit every home or speak with each individual to offer housing options or support. Many Spanish-speaking residents had to rely on us for interpretation. So from the very start, the City fell short of what it claimed to do.
Secondly, and importantly, for the residents who did receive outreach, they were promised a year in the motels. This was witnessed by numerous advocates across multiple organizations, including legal advocates who do not work for the City. Residents had to leave their homes with only two bags of their belongings. Many had to give up safe shelter where they could maintain their autonomy and dignity for something that the City controlled. There is already a lack of permanent, autonomous, affordable housing for Bay Area residents. To be promised only one year of shelter (with the intent to be returned to the streets) is short term, bad-decision making on the City's part. Let's look at models of how to create permanent housing and carry out what is in the interest of the people rather than big business.
Tucker Construction gets paid millions to destroy people's homes and possessions. What if you used that money to provide affordable housing instead of letting developers crush disadvantaged people further into poverty?
Lastly, the recent bait and switch attempted by the City requiring residents to sign a new contract is yet another red flag indicating that you do not value people (and the some of the most vulnerable people in our community, at that). Asking residents to sign a contract that forces them to move to EIH in three days of housing coming available or they have to leave the motel is simply underhanded and undignified.
Unhoused community members are not objects to be managed or manipulated. Everyone deserves the right to maintain their sense of agency and dignity. Motel residents should be given plenty of time to provide their informed consent. That means having all the facts up front with sufficient time to make an educated and prepared decision. This implies no hidden agendas, fine print, or language/accessibility barriers. Neighbors of the unhoused community will continue to be watching and showing up to hold you accountable.
Regards,
Sarah Hollingsworth
she/her
This message is from outside the City email system. Do not open links or attachments from untrusted sources.