Public Presentations
4/4/2023
Benton Project
Community Feedback and Evidence Opposing the Project
April 4 2023
1 Agenda
Part I: Why city should reject Benton interim housing proposal • Safety Coa crime Fal inceased 300%, lugs u, Mon site, no securiy and maintenance, problem tenants not evicted Cost and Budget Issues: Evidence from LifeMoves Palo Alt ifeMoves doubled construction cost estimates just within a year, cutting services and security to save money; C faces $6M funding gap
returned to street or tent.
Part II: Alternative plan
Appropriate location
Vhat could be considered for Benton land instead
2 POST MEETING MATERIAL
1 4/4/2023
Part I
Why city should reject Benton location
for interim housing
3 Community Hearing Highlights
Why 80%-90% of the meeting participants strongly oppose this project Low barrier allows 3. As of right now, what is your
criminals and addicts students and families opinion of the proposed project? (Multiple Choice)
I support building interim
The 2nd shelter in the High operating cost
housing at this site. 14%
same neighborhood $3.3M - $4.3M/year
I do not support building
interim housing at this site. 80%
Critical shortage of staff Location far from public
and licensed nurse transit, shops and jobs lam undecided about the proposed project. 6%
County provide false 60% of questions still
Results from live poll conducted at 4th community
and misleading info remain unanswered hearing meeting, March 22, 2023 4 2
4/4/2023
Community Hearing Highlights - Safety
Regardless of the number of units, height of the
buildings, w/ or w/o family, this is proposed as HOMELESSNESS IN SANTA CLARA - CY 2021 769 Individuols "offitated" with the City of Sonto Cloro a low barrier entry shelter accepting people • 57% with serious physicol or mentol heolth conditions with: 50% checnicolly homeless (disabled and unhoused 12+ months) • 34% have experience of domestic violence or trafficking By Age By Mousetald Typo
Criminal background
... Serious mental problems
Drug addictions iil 539
819 1824 2134 31a4 4533 8588
Minimal background check and no drug test will
be done.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
Problematic occupants are unlikely to be
honest Boring at this ste
removed from the site.
Well, poople with the criminal background be permitted to stay in the interim "Low barrier entry...we prefer to take, to be honest, the housing fu kick it off just by saying that typically with interim housing we do like to provide low barrier entry
more challenging elements of the population"
- Brian Greenberg, LifeMoves
5 Community Hearing Highlights - Safety
• The county failed to show any research on impacts
TALY CORNERS PONDEROSA
St Lawrence
to this neighborhood. Using schools as an example:
Wilcox Hion. a mise
Elementary & Middle,
• 02/14/2023: county and Lifemoves knew LO GLEN Pondeross Elementary- 0.93 mile • 1.3 mile
nothing about how many schools are in the Gateway High
0.75 mile Briangod Elementary -
0.98 mile
Bella Vista Shelter g Coffee Roas Within 1 mile en
03/02/2023: the county said there were only 4 < 0.5 mile away ¡tals India Cashi& Carry®
schools within in 1.5 miles. This is wrong Peterson Middle - eroy Elementary - A PARK 0.63 mile 0.33 mite
03/09/2023: the county showed only 6 schools Contral Parke Lawrence&Bent
Laurelwood Elementary School
and 8 daycares within 1.5 miles. Still wrong Elementary now site. Shelter 15 schools (10,483 students) and at least 31 0.38 milo
Basis Lower School - O./ Dev Park - 150 m Santa Clara High daycares within 1.5 miles of Benton location; no 0.58 mile • tratlord school
BRewerpod Elementary
other Santa Clara communities have such a NEIGHB60.26 mile • Monticello Academy - 0.38 mile
dense concentration of schools. Market C Kaiser Permanente H Santa Clara medical cirl • Milkin Basics+
Elementary - 1.2 mile
Schools John Sutter Elementa
Amid Santa Clara PD's staffing shortage, how can - 0.81 mile • Senior Homes
neighborhood safety be guaranteed? • Parks and Swim Center 6 4/4/2023
Community Hearing Highlights - Funding and Operation
$3.3M - $4.3M estimated annual operating cost ($55k per person); unclear funding source from year 1 to year 15+.
A psychiatric unit requires a minimum 1:6 licensed
nurse/patients radio, 24 hours a day by California law. Yet LifeMoves recommends only ONE vocational nurse for 200
unscreened homeless tenants, where 57% have serious
mental issues.
• Though the county and LifeMoves had multiple opportunities, they consistently provided false or misleading information. A fact- check list is provided in the next slide.
• County also invited housing advocacies who don't live in the neighbourhood to speak in support at all four community meetings. • Also 300+ questions from the community still remain unanswered.
Source:https//losh.sccpok.erg/prg/est-homekey-scc/benlea 7 Community Hearing Highlights - County and LifeMoves provide fake and misinformation Topic Question/Concern County/LifeMoves said... Fact Check Terminology County and LifeMoves *Shelter is an old model, which is totally different from helter"and "interim/supportive housing" are used interchangeably provided false and "interim/supportive housing" that Benton is proposed ast community meetings by Consuelo. They are the same thing, meanir misinformation and intend to the target population is homeless and onsite supportive service will be mislead the city and the provided.
community 1000 Hillview Ct, Militas is a permanent supportive housing.
Safety Impact on crime rates or Consuelo said no data have showed crime would > 300% increase in police calls at and around Militas 1000 Hillview Ct service calls on the site or increase in and near the shelter artments; Consuelo attended the meeting and acknowledged 1 neighborhood gnificant crime sur
Safety Number of Schools Nearby First time knew nothing about number of schools 15 east 31 daycares stun 1.5 miles Second time counted only 4 within 1.5 miles
Third time missed all the schools west of Lawrence
Safety Pedestrian safety concern No one will walk passing by the location, as there is no path available for walking past it
tudents frequently visit the 711 across Benton for snack Location Proximity to Grocery Walking distance to necessities 0.9 miles or minimum 18 minutes walk to nearest grocery Location Proximity to Health Services Kaiser is close by Kaiser requires insurance; Only emergency services without insurance Location Local Homeless Folks Homeless individuals are already present in the area We should provide them with shelter here
Location Proximity to bus stop Public transportations is very close by Bonion location, and 2 min Canino & Henderson, 1 miles avay from the Location Proximity to liquor store Ignored
8 4
4/4/2023
Safety Failure: Evidence from 1000 Hillview Ct, Milpitas (permanent supportive housing)
"When compare the crime statistics,
• Striking crime statistics:
Total police calls increased by 300% in 2022, two years after it started operation. Total fire calls increased by 400%
• Average police service time close to 50 hours/month
• Crimes include assault, drug, burglary, rape, sex registrant, stolen vehicles and other suspicious circumstances. "Screening process needs to improve. • As of August 2022: Because obviously the residents you Councilmember Chua and Vice Mayor Carmen Montano
are selecting are committing crimes'
challenged Consuelo that the county had changed the admission • Carmen Montano, Mayor of Milpita criteria without informing the city, and their screening process is not working.
• Ziploc bags of meth were found on site. otal Events
ast 3-Year:
• Problematic tenants and drug addictions were not likely to be • Dons not incide walto Check ovons
removed from the site due to State law.
O 43.3 - Average number of Calls for
Only 10 Milpitas homeless live within the 132 units apartment. Sorvice for August through October No staff onsite to repair elevator, fire alarm, smoke detector, etc.
Tenants from the business park next door "were leaving, and the business owner put the property on sale because of the negative Tost Po Cos by teeth impacts from Hillview Ct."
7920
Source
https://www.youtvbe.comfsatch2x=8880smolVLg8/=9458s starts 2.37:00 http://ww.ysutwbe.com/v/1sq./iaTlomU2/eatwre=shareSt=2570, starts 43.00 9 Safety Failure: Evidence from 1000 Hillview Ct, Milpitas (permanent supportive housing) Type of Calls for Service Call Category Examples
Commercial Burglary, Residential Burglary, Found property, • As of November 2022: Burglary/Theft
Striking crime rate remained order (combined events, family, fight, music, neighbor.
Disorders
Councilmember Karina R. Dominguez (who is the initial supporter nice, Possession, Possesslon for Sale, Drug Rolated
for this project) visited the site one day prior to city's scheduled Sost, dead pod suicide, Monday disturbed porson, Mental Health/Health
check, and commented angrily: There was no 24/7 security, no Suspicious Activity
one there checking-in visitors...carpets are so dirty in the 2nd 1, Violation of Violation
and 3rd floors...no eviction for crimes. "These need to be addressed immediately."
Carjacking
• As of February 2023: Welfare Check
Militas requested additional police officers to be funded by ervice, Cvt County since August 2022, but has yet to receive a response from the County.
Disabled occupants are stuck due to broken elevator for at least 8 months. "It goes down at least once a week", said Reeve, one of the residents.
"Tenants are afraid for their lives." - Karina, councilmember "People are afraid to come out of their rooms. I don't
leave my room without an open knife."
- Reeve, resident of 1000 Hillview Ct ELEVATOR DOWN AT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING FACILITY Mttps:///ww.xeatube.com.Fxe/1sg/sTsmU/featuresshere8te2570, starts 43.00 MILPITAS https://abc7news.comhilview-court-opertmeots-mfpitass.supportive-housing-broken-slaxator-dEsabled-resldents-olderby/12859383/ 10 5
4/4/2023
Cost and Budget Failure: Evidence from LifeMoves Palo Alto LifeMoves' Palo Alto project cost estimate Source of Funds for increased from $17.6 million to $26 million, just two Capital cost Amount months after its approval, and then skyrocketed to Homekey $21,732,228 $34.4 million within a year of approval. Sobrato $5,000,000 • LifeMoves is removing 24/7 security and onsite $26,732,228 Total received
supportive services in order to cut $2 million cost $34,400,000 stimated constructio
• LifeMoves is also planning to shrink spaces for so for March 2023 families, dining and common area, reduce common Construction cost gap ($8 millon bathrooms, and fence.
• The City of Palo Alto confronts a $6 million
funding deficit, covering only construction costs
and not accounting for the annual recurring
operational costs that will persist year after year.
Source: https://pabatoonline.com/news/202303/30/es-costs-rise-palo-alos-transitional-housing-pro/sct-seeks-to-reduce-gmenities 11 Failure to Fulfill Commitment: Evidence from LifeMoves Mountain View LifeMoves Mountain View
• 2nd lowest successful rate
281 clients exited the program between its opening May 2021 and September 2022, I Permanent housing only 73 individuals, or 26%, were placed in permanent housing, the 2nd lowest 26% rate of successful exit in the county 45%
• Disqualified management and staffing:
Former client physically assaulted by the first program director in 2021, there is 29% still an outstanding arrest warrant for the director
l Temporary housing
• A former client reported multiple sexual harassment cases; however, the second site director cannot remove the harassers due to LifeMoves' policy against Unknown or place unfit for habitation relocating drug addicts from the site until they conquer their addiction-a feat that is nearly impossible in 90-120 days. Lifemoves MTV has the Shuffled at least 3 directors within only 1.5 years of operation second lowest rate of successful exit, 26%.
• Services are missing:
• Multiple clients never received specialized support in searching for housing The other shelters ahead of • Shortage of case managers, housing specialists; no licensed nurses (only interns). Lifemoves range from 41% to 70% of clients moving into
• Crimes to the nearby business:
Testimony from nearby business has reported burglaries and littering issues permanent housing. Many Consequently, they hired a 24/7 security guard at their own expense. returned to street and • MTV has added dedicated police force to patrol at the site. chose not to extend the contract with Lifemoves.
Source: https://www.emanasners.com/hews/20230330/femoves-mountain-view-promises-re-hejp-homeless.cients-indstable-housing-in-threa-months-the-vast-majorty-daet https://paloaToontine.com/news/2023033M/emoves-m2untain-vienspromises-to-he/p-homeless-clents-Andstabie-housing-in-three-months-the-xast-majanty-dent 12 6
4/4/2023
What has happened at Milpitas, Palo Alto and
Mountain View will repeat in Santa Clara if city were to approve Benton proposal.
The situation for Santa Clara will be much worse, due
to proximity to thousands residential homes and 15
schools with 10,483 students, police shortage, and
city's financial situation.
13 In fact, many other cities, who have tried and experimented interim housing model earlier, have already started to reflect on the mistakes they made, and retain from the interim housing model to help homeless population.
= Mountain View Voice En LifeMoves
News Client stories and county data show
LifeMoves Mountain View is falling short Mountain View
Interim shelter
programs are of its promises
heralded as the Proving No Nay Home for State Hone me ey homelessnes: News
solution tha Life Moves Mountain View in three months.
California's been
waiting for. So why The majority of
aren't they them don't.
working? Disabled South Bay residents stuck The governor wants to replicate its Experts say that without building cad our two-part investigation into the interim shelte after elevator stops working at model across the state, but client more affordable housing, the crisis rogram and hear how we reported the stor supportive housing facility testimony and county data show it can't be solved hasn't been working well
Residents also said they concerns with on-site security.
Opinion: Project Homekey is expensive and Coast lodging properties are hot, Newsom's Homekey not, in ineffective. Let's shift to much more promising Fort Bragg policies. By Frank Hartzell| March 26, 2023
14 7
4/4/2023
Call to Action
• Stop considering shelter/interim housing/supportive
housing of any kind on Benton location
• Stop trying to put shelter of any kind in residential areas
• Meet with us, discuss with us, work with us
15 Part I|
Alternative plans
16 8
4/4/2023
Opposite to what we have been stereotyped and
misunderstood as "selfish house owners", our empathetic community cares a lot about homeless people and truly
want to help. We will never surrender to sacrifice
community safety, yet there are alternative plans we will consider. Alternative plans that will end in a win-win
situation.
17 Appropriate locations
• We have so far identified several lands that is convenient to job opportunities, facilities and transportation.
• The City and County should continue their search for suitable land if pursuing interim housing remains a goal.
De La Cruz Bld & El Camino Real, next Seven lands at intersection of South Lincoln st & Civic Center Dr. to Santa Clara Police Station Bay Fwy, Gold St, & Lafayette St. 18 4/4/2023
What could be considered for Benton land?
• Proximity to schools makes this site a potential good fit for "rent-to- own" affordable housing for teachers who have a livelihood in or around Santa Clara.
• This "rent-to-own" affordable housing could also consider law-abiding families, whose members do not have any substance abuse or criminal records, have good credit scores and jobs to afford rent. 19 Resources
Milpitas council meeting on 1000 Hillview Ct apartment, in August 2022: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8BROsffdNLg&t=9458s, starts 2:37:41 Chief police Hernandez gave update on its impact on public safety services. Starting 2:37:41 Consuelo responded about the crime number spike. 3:12:00 Councilmember challenged Consuelo that she and the county had changed the admission criteria without informing the city. 3:14:50 Only 10 Milpitas homeless have been housed at 130 units in 1000 Hillview Ct. 3:16:05 Councilmember challenged the property management manager that they have never had staff onsite to do repairs. 3:19:35 Consuelo acknowledged the crime spike and said the spike will last 3-4 years until it stabilizes. Councilmember said 3-4 years is unacceptable. 3:25:33 Mayor challenged Consuelo and the property manager of the site's weapon and drug policy. Both of them failed to answer directly. 3:27:06 Mayor called it a shame that the site is missing all kinds of services for its tenants. 3:34:20 Police officer Hernandez urged the site manager and Consuelo to ensure the site is a safe place for everyone. 3:48:40 4:04:00 Vice Mayor Carmen Montano: "I am dismayed about all the increasing crime and Consuelo, thank you. However / do NOT agree with your comment that the crime has gone up because the housing of residents has gone up, so that really tells me that your screening process needs to improve. Because that obviously the residents you are selecting are committing crimes. And there is something wrong with your screening process, i think you need to improve on that.
Milpitas council meeting on 1000 Hillview Ct apartment, in November 2022: https://www.youtube.com/ive/1sq//dTlpmU?feature=share&t=2570, starts 43:00 Chief police Hernandez gave update on its impact on public safety services. Starting 1:03:21 Councilmember Karina R. Dominguez (who is the initial supporter for this project) expressed a lot of concerns for safety and urge them to be addressed immediately. Starts 1:31:38
Disabled South Bay residents stuck after elevator stops working at supportive housing facility: https://abc7news.com/hillview-court-apartments-mitpitas-supportive-housing:
hmken.elevator-disabled-residents.e/derv/12856383/
As costs rise, LifeMoves' Palo Alto's transitional housing project seeks to reduce amenities: https://paloalloonline.com/news/2023/03/30/as-costs-rise-palo-altos-transitional- housing-project-seeks-to-reduce-amenities
LifeMoves Mountain View promises to help its homeless clients find stable housing in three months. The majority of them don't:
https://www.almanacnews.com/news/2023/03/30/lifemoves-mountain-view-promises-to-help-homeless-clients-find-stable-housing-in-three-months-the-vast-majority-dont Life Moves Mountain View aims to house people in just three months. Experts say that its model doesn't work: https://paloaltoonline.com/news/2023/03/30/lifemoves-mountain- view-promises-to-help-homeless-clients-find-stable-housing-in-three-months-the-vast-majority-dont Housing Navigation Center locating adjacent to Fremont City Hall buildings to address homeless crisis: https://www.fremont.gov/government/departments/human services/homelass.care.response/progcams.services/hnusing.navigation-center 20 10
4/4/2023
Conclusion
City should reject Benton interim housing proposal because:
Community Hearings Highlights
Over 80% of the community strongly oppose Benton project. • Low barrier invites criminals and addicts with nearly impossible evictions; $55,000 yearly cost/person plunges city into debt and soaring crime rates Safety Failure: Evidence from 1000 Hillview Ct, Militas • Area crime rate increased 300%, drugs found on site, no security and maintenance, problem tenants not evicted
• Bud it and Financia Salure done from fees are reing series and security to save money; City faces $6M funding gap
• Operation Failure: Evidence from LifeMoves Mountain View Homeless success rate second-worst countywide; promised experts and services absent, taff recruitment fails; one director was issued arrest warrant for physical assault, anothe overed up sexual crimes; nearly half of occupants returned to street or ten 21 11
414123 Public Presentations
Working Together
Agenda
(4/4/23)
• Our Current State: Division between
County/City and Residents
• Working Together: Understanding the life
cycle of homelessness and how we can
work together
• Residents' Recommendation for
Lawrence/Benton Site
POST MEETING MATERIAL
Our Current State
Our Current State: Supportive Housing & Officials
Benton Street at Lawrence Expressway
Supportive Housing & officials' Viewpoint
• Multiple Efforts to identify other SC properties
• This site is an underutilized parcel
• County does not own any other property in the city of Santa Clara (for interim housing) • Proximity to transit, grocery and medical
Knee-jerk reactions from communities NIMBY's Fear of Unknown Housing First
Low entry barrier does not mean NO entry barrier
Homeless are already here Drugs are a bigger problem in High Schools There is no adverse impact to safety due to low entry barrier No adverse impact to assessed property values due to supportive housing There is no data suggesting homeless folks are getting hit by cars on streets 20% of Adult population has some mental illness, it is only ~30% more Our Current State: Santa Clara Residents (>80% per poll) Benton Street at Lawrence Expressway
Santa Clara Residents' Viewpoint
HOLES POPULATION SE JURISDICTION AND SHELTER Police Response - Milpitas Hillview Police Evert by Categories and or E
* 1°
Severaladjoining cities have decreased homelessness without such shelters while Santa Clara, Milpitas and San Jose have seen increases in last 3 years despite several projects; Crime rate increases were significant in some of the sites Our elected officials are not listening to us Low Entry Barrier is a major concern for safety Tax Dollars are being misused Santa Clara is becoming the transient hub for homeless Middle Class cities are being targeted to tackle homelessness from more affluent cities Risk of increased drug related activities Homeless folks interviewed by residents did not want to go any shelter due to safety concerns hose with substance abuse issue or certain mental illness would have a high risk in crossing Lawrence Expresswa Ve see news articles where folks in some of the shelters express a fear of their safet Property Values will decrease - we have mortgages! Ziploc bags with drugs found near some other shelter raising concerns around drug use Residents concerned that folks not getting extensions or permanent housing may start to squat in the neighborhood Neighborhoods will be less walkable
Some residents had personal experience of unsafe encounters with a section of homeless population with substance abuse or mental illness where they felt very unsafe Working Together
Working Together: Background and facts
The she's Interrory Council on Homelessnes, a state body tasked with oversening the HOATELESS POPULATION BY JURISDICTION AND SHELTER The homelessness crisis state's homelessness strategy and diwying up funding to local governments, issurd a report detailing just how much the state has spent on the crisis between 2018 and 2021 - and what seems to be getting it's gotten in retum
worse despite a lot of The answer to those questions, according to the report:
money getting pumped
and specific programs
showing positive results
3751
*One of the largest challenges facing the state is the inflow of new people into homelessness, even as efforts to help people experiencing homelessness expand," the report resds.
Diversity in health conditions within
homeless population, requiring
different approaches for rehabilitation 12%
(beyond housing)
Insiehtinto preventive measures When asked what might have prevented them from becoming homeless, the top answers among for homelessness based on
survey respondents were rent/mortgage assistance (reported by 34% of respondents), followed by survey within homeless
employment assistance (28%), and alcohol/drug counseling (28%).
Working Together:
Location Matters
• Santa Clara has great soil and weather
for citrus fruit trees.
• If one has space in their backyard,
and loves to nurture, an orange tree
would be a great addition.
• However, if one is forced to accept
the gift of a mango tree, even the
best nurturing may not work as our
soil and climate is not equatorial
potentially affecting a stunted growth
or even death of the mango tree.
• Understanding which backyard is
suited for which tree is quite
important.
• Location Matters.
Working Together: Different Needs*
42%
PSYCHIATRIC / Rehabilitation First→> Training →> Job Assistance → Permanent Housing Rehabilitation First→ Training →> Job Assistance - Permanent Housing 32%
Interim Housing First -> Training →> Job Assistance -> Permanent Housing *For Illustration Purposes
Working Together: Lifecycle approach*
SELF REPORTED HEALTH
42% 32% 36% 29% 28% 12% 20%
PSYCHIATRIC/ PTSD CHROMIS TRAUMATIC
DISTRICT BRAIN
CONDITION
Legal US Residents with a job/employment
Substance Abuse OR Criminal Record OR Sex Offense
Grouping
Rehabilitation Job Training Job Assistance Location Rehabilitation Job Training Job Assistance Location Not Applicable Not Applicable Close to Schools & Job Required/Suggested Not Applicable Not Applicable (Close to) Rehabilitation Center Smile with as Not Applicable
Couples without kids Not Applicable Not Applicable Not Applicable Close to Job Required/Suggested Not Applicable Not Applicable (Close to) Rehabilitation Center Single Adults Not Applicable Not Applicable Not Applicable Close to Job Required/Suggested Not Applicable Not Applicable (Close to) Rehabilitation Center Close to Job & Services Required/Suggested Not Applicable Not Applicable (Close to) Rehabilitation Center Physical Disability Possible Not Applicable Not Applicable Possible Not Applicable Not Applicable Close to Job & Medical Required/Suggested Not Applicable Not Applicable (Close to) Rehabilitation Center Chronic Health
Legal US Residents without a job/employment
No Substand OR Criminal Record OR Sex Offense Substance Abuse OR Criminal Record OR Sex Offense Grouping
Job Assistance Location Rehabilitation Job Training Job Assistance Location Rehabilitation Job Training
Familles with Kids Not Applicable May be Required/Suggested Close to Schools & Job Required/Suggested May be Required/Suggested (Close to) Rehabilitation Center assistance service
Couples without kids Not Applicable May be Required/Suggested Close to Job Assistance Required/Suggested May be Required/Suggested (Close to) Rehabilitation Center Services
Single Adults Not Applicable May be Required/Suggested Close to Job Assistance Required/Suggested May be Required/Suggested (Close to) Rehabilitation Center Services
Possible May be Not Applicable Close to Job & Services Required/Suggested May be Required/Suggested (Close to) Rehabilitation Center Physical Disability
Chronic Health Possible May be Not Applicable Close to Job & Medical Required/Suggested May be Required/Suggested (Close to) Rehabilitation Center *For illustration Purposes: it would be ideal to have residents vote which of these categories would they be willing to support and ensure screening is never compromised Residents' Recommendation
FAMILIES EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS
Recommendation: Prevention
2t5 219
2015 2017 3019 1022
Focusing on families with jobs, without substance abuse or criminal # Top Obstacles for Permanent Housing records, through "rent to own" housing approach can help them avoid 1 Affordability of Rent (69%) falling into homelessness void. This approach tackles two of the biggest 2 Lack of Job/Income (55%) obstacles for permanent housing and ranks highest as preventive measure in 2022 PIT report.
3 Lack of available housing(28%)
Permanent
• Rent To Own Neighbors • Eliminate protests
# Top Preventive Methods
• Uplift Families • Productive Citizens
1 Rent/Mortgage Assistance (34%) • Reduced Operation
• Uplift Communities
2 Employment Assistance (28%) Costs (less taxes)
3 Alcohol/Drug Counseling (28%)
Prevent families from Happy Residents
a homeless future
Comparison between options
(For Lawrence/Benton Site)
Interim/Supportive Housing for Family, Singles & Couples Permanent "Rent to Own" Housing for Family (Some with Substance Abuse, Serious Mental liness or Criminal Records) Pros Allows broader demographics including the highest population amongst homeless (singles) No adverse impact to safety (real or perceived) to residents No adverse impact to property values (real or perceived) of residents Proactive approach that could help stem the inflow of homeless by 34% Minimizes Operational Costs (might even generate revenue) Building/Structure would remind residents how their voices were heard by their representatives and how they together uplifted this neighborhood [Feeling of Victory] Adverse impact to safety to residents Very specific to prevention of homelessness in families Cons
Adverse impact to property values of residents
Mainly reactive with housing first approach (doesn't address the root causes) Treats all locations as similar (based on proximity to VTA, grocery, hospital etc.) High Operation Costs - sometimes requiring compromises on services If crime rate increases, tax paying residents would start to move out with their families and it mav become citicult to a tacamilles with kids in tais dred Building/Structure would remind residents how their voices were unheard or not respected [Feeling of Loss]
Thank You!
References
• The country is watching (https://khn.org/news/article/california-homeless-crisis-governor-gavin-newsom-political-future) • Project Homekey (https://osh.sccgov.org/project-homekey-scc) • 2022 PIT Report Santa Clara County(https://osh.sccgov.org/sites/g/files/exjcpb671/files/documents/2022%20PIT%20Report%20Santa%20Clara%20County.pdf) • California Spending on Homelessness (3 years) - Feb 2023 (https://calmatters.org/homelessness-2/2023/02/california-homelessness-spending-report) • LifeMoves Mountain View article (https://calmatters.org/homelessness-2/2023/02/california-homelessness-spending-report) • ASHADEEP: Rehabilitation of homeless with mental illness (https://www.ashadeepindia.org/rehabilitation-of-homeless-persons-with-mental-illness) • Addiction and Homelessness_ (https://socalsunrise.com/addiction-and-homelessness) 414/23 Public Presentation
Santa Clara Housing
Advocates
We support low-barrier interim
housing in our neighborhood
Safer For Everyone
Helping people off the streets and into a sheltered option creates a safer environment for residents and their neighbors. With integrated resources in the building, those needing help can access assistance before, during, and after what would otherwise become a public incident. Even if the population has a higher percentage of people with criminal records, that does not mean that they are inherently bad people or will harm our community.
Many unhoused people have records for camping in public, stealing food for survival, and other small offenses.
Proven to Have Limited Impact on Public Safety
KQED recently ran a story about a short term housing facility in San Jose, which many feared would increase crime in the neighborhood. A year after it opened, the number of emergency calls went down in every category except ambulances.
Number of Calls in Year Before/After Interim Housing Sites Opened •Year before opening • Year after opening
Police quality-of-life
calls
Illegal dumping
Grafitti
Fire Dept. calls
(medical)*
Fire Dept. calls (fire
and other services)*
50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400 450 500 550
# of calls
Built-In Resources
LifeMoves has told us that their facilities typically come with onsite support staff, such as case workers, social workers, medical professionals, counseling services, life skills classes, and employment support. For a population that might have difficulty getting transportation, having this support built into their housing is vital.
Good Location
With resources like grocery stores, convenience stores, parks, a hospital, and churches all within a 20 minute walking distance, the proposed location is ideal for a population that may not have access to personal transportation. We already have unhoused neighbors, and they should have full access to the community around them.
The Kids are Alright
POST MEETING MATERIAL
This facility does not pose a threat to kids in the neighborhood. Parents can use age appropriate language the explain the building, like "this is for people who don't have a home, until they can find a home." Your kids likely go to school with homeless children already. Experiencing people who are different from ourselves is an important part of creating a compassionate and empathetic community.
Unhoused People are People
Unhoused people are just people without a house, and people live in neighborhoods and deserve community.
Growing numbers of families are living paycheck to paycheck, one emergency away from being homeless.
Unhoused people include elderly people with no family to support them, young people rescued from human trafficking, domestic violence survivors who cannot put their name on a lease, and people with a medical emergency that ran out of sick time at work.
Proven Health Benefits
Housing is a social determinant of health, meaning unhoused people are more likely to get sicker, faster. Every year, hundreds of people die on the streets. Access to private bathrooms will allow residents to take care of themselves. There will be a nurse onsite, and program staff can refer residents to other medical care, and help them get there. Housing projects are shown to cost taxpayers less compared to unhoused people going in and out of the medical system. It is illegal to discriminate based on disability.
Mental Health is Not Scary
In 2023, a growing number of people identify with having one or more mental illnesses. Communities have spent years working to decrease the stigma associated with mental health. Statistically, 20% of neighborhood likely has mental illness, and that has not affected our safety. Mental illness does not make a person bad or scary, it is not a moral failing. If residents of this facility have a mental illness and need support, there will be easy access to counseling and healthcare services.
Social and Racial Justice
Housing has always been a racial justice issue. Homelessness disproportionately impacts BIPOC and LGBTQ+ people. Homelessness is not an individual failure, but a systemic one. The foster system has let young people down after they turn 18. More older adults are homeless. Wages are not keeping pace with inflation making, making it more difficult to find housing. And there is a proven lack of housing in our area. One facility will not solve the problem, but it will help.
Visit our website https://schousingadvocates.org/ for 16 reasons supported by 100 sources Share Your Support with Proposal Leaders and Decision Makers Send an email to express your support and be included in the report of community engagement City Contact: [email protected]
County Contact: [email protected]
City Council and County Supervisors will review community input and make a decision on Apri 25l