TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND FROM: Councilmember Campos
CITY COUNCIL
SUBJECT: SEE BELOW DATE: March 12, 2026
Approved Date: 3/12/2026
SUBJECT: Approval of the Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Mayor’s March Budget Message
RECOMMENDATION
Amend the Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Mayor’s March Budget Message to include the following:
1. Direct the City Manager to pursue the actions necessary to convert the 1 Branham Lane Emergency Interim Housing Community into permanent housing.
2. Direct the City Manager to pursue a preference for individuals with disabilities and for individuals age 55 or older during the transition period.
3. Direct the City Manager to release an informational memorandum on the status of the transition at 1 Branham by August 31, 2026.
BACKGROUND
Council District 2 hosts some of the largest emergency interim housing communities in San José.
The Branham-Monterey Emergency Interim Housing Community (1 Branham Lane) provides dignified, non-congregant, fully ADA accessible housing with bathrooms and kitchenettes, prioritizing safety and privacy for clients.
I am grateful for the Mayor’s commitment to “continue to expand the supply of permanent housing options available for low-income residents,” and I support the direction in the March Budget Message affirming the Housing Department’s work to “evaluate the most cost- and time- effective pathway to convert select sites to permanent low-income housing, such as Single Room Occupancy units or other permanent low-income housing.”
Over the past year, my office has worked with a dedicated Community Advisory Committee (CAC), including neighbors, City staff, and LifeMoves staff, to support this EIHC and address concerns. Although I am proud of the work performed by the CAC and grateful to the staff who participated for their time and diligence, I recommend that we begin the work to transition 1 Branham Lane from interim housing to permanent housing serving low-acuity low-income households. This will increase the supply of desperately needed permanent housing, reduce (or eliminate) ongoing operational costs to the City, and provide a compatible land use in this residential area. During the transition, emergency shelter should continue to be available to individuals with disabilities and to individuals age 55 or older through a preference program administered by the County and by the shelter operator.
COUNCIL AGENDA: 3/17/2026
FILE: 26-251
ITEM: 3.3