April19,2023
Mayor,Councilmembers,
OnApril25th,youwillvoteontheHomekeyprojectinpartnershipwithSantaClaraCountyandLifeMovesatBenton&LawrenceExpresswayinSantaClara.SafeSCC,agrassrootsassociationofresidentsinSantaClara,presentedinCityHalltodayandsubmittedapetitiononApril142023,onbehalfoflocalresidentswhostronglyopposetheproposal,with5,293signaturescollectedsincetheproposalbecamepublicknowledge.Inthe4thcommunitypublichearing,alivepollconductedbythecountyshowedthatover80%ofthecommunityopposestheBentonproject.Intheotherthreemeetings,theoppositionisevenhigher.
Weurgeyoutolistentothemajorityofresidentsandvote"No"ontheBentonproject,asnumerousconcernsmustbeaddressed,includingneighborhoodimpactandsafety,locationjustification,fiscalconcerns,designandpolicyconcerns,environmentalissues,projectjustification,andthecredibilityandaccountabilityofthecountyandLifeMoves.Inthisletter,wehaveexplainedeachconcernindetails,withdataandevidence.
Webelievetheseconcerns-especiallytheenvironmental,neighborhood,andsite-specificissues-warrantproperconsiderationbythecitytorejecttheBentonproject.Infact,shouldtheCityinsistonmovingforwardwiththisproject,wewilldemandanenvironmentalandsocialimpactstudy.OurassociationiscurrentlyintheprocessofretainingcounseltoensurethatboththeCityandDeveloperadheretoallapplicablelocalandstateordinancesforthisproject.
Sincerely,SafeSCC
Content
Content 2Section1:EnvironmentalConcerns 41.1Density 41.2Intersection 41.3Traffic 51.4Parking 51.5WasteManagement 61.6BioretentionCompliance 6SectionII:NeighborhoodImpact 62.1IncreasedBurdenandFiscalStrainonEmergencyServices 62.2Crime 72.2.1PublicSafetyDataonMilpitas 82.2.2PublicSafetydataonLifeMovesMountainView 92.2.3PublicSafetyDataatfiveSanJosesites 102.2.4“Therearecrimeseverywhere,notonlyattheinterimhousing” 112.3DrugandAlcoholAbuseinLocalArea 122.4SiteSecurity 122.5GeneralLoitering,SolicitationandOtherImpacts 132.6IssuesAtExistingHomeKeySites 132.7PostDevelopmentOperatingRestrictions 16SectionIII:LocationConcerns 173.1LandPurpose 173.2Distancetoschools 173.3DistancetoJobOpportunities 183.4DistancetoTransport 193.5DistancefromSupportServices 193.6Air&NoiseQuality 193.7LiquorStore 203.8ProximitytoBellaVistaInterimHousing 203.9.SimilarProjectLocations&Facilities 20Section4:SiteSpecificConcerns 224.1SiteDesign 224.2OnsitePolicy 234.3BehavioroutsidetheSite 26Section5:Fiscal&DeveloperConcerns 27
5.1CityFinanceImplications&LifeMovesFinancialReliability 275.2OperationCostConcerns 285.3ConcernsoverLifeMoves 285.3.1Insufficientlicensednurse 285.3.2FailedmanagementinLifeMoves’sites 285.3.3Staffingshortageanddisqualification 29Section6:ConcernsovertheNeedforaNewHomekeyProjectinSantaClara 30Section7:CredibilityandAccountabilityoftheCountyandLifeMoves 307.1Falseandmisleadinginformation 307.2LifeMoves'LackofTransparencyonSitePlansandImpactData 317.3ResponsetoMeetingRequests 327.4DiscriminatorySiteSelectionConcern 32Section8:AlternativeLand 32Section9:BestuseforBentonland 35 Section1:EnvironmentalConcerns
ThelocationnearbusyLawrenceExpresswayposessafetyhazardsforindividualswithmentalhealthissuesanddisabilities.Moreover,thesmall,denselypackedroomscancreateaprison-likeenvironmentforthosewithmentalandphysicaldisabilities.Theadditionof124-248residents 1 wouldalsoputtremendouspressureontraffic,parking,wastemanagement,internetspeed,powersupply,watersupply,andBioretentionCompliance.WhileaHomekeyprojectmaybeexemptfromCEQA,itneedsdocumentationprovingthatitmeetsallexemptionrequirements.WehopethecityisawareofthisandsubmitsaCEQAevaluationrequestforthesite.
1.1Density
LifeMovesproposestheBentonlocationtohouseuptomaxof248peopleatanygiventime,inaprefabricatedmodule.Giventhatinterimhousingwouldallowoccupantstostay3-4months,foraproposedtotalof600-800residentsperyear.Thesewillbestacked3-4unitshigh,ona1.27acrelot(asignificantportionofwhichwillbereservedforparking).Weareconcernedabouttheenvironmentalimpactofhousingsomanypeopleonsuchasmallsite,inafacilitybuiltusingnovelconstructionmethods.
1.2Intersection
3590BentonStreetislocatedattheintersectionof3roads:Bentonstreet,FloraVistaAVe,andLawrenceExpressway.ThousandsofvehiclesperdaypassthrougheventhesmallerBenton/FloraVistaintersection,nottomentionthebusyLawrenceExpressway.Duringthesecondcommunitymeeting,CityCouncilmemberSudsJainmadeanincorrectstatementbyclaimingthattherewouldbenostudentsorpedestrianswalkingpasttheLifeMovesBentonsite.However,thisisnottrue,astherearepedestriancrossingsinallfourdirections.ItisexpectedthatasignificantnumberofLifeMovesBentonresidents,manyofwhomhaveseriousphysicalormentalillnessesandcriminalrecordsorarere-enteringsocietyfromjails,willnavigatetheseintersectionsonfooteachday,includingsexoffenderswhoarepermittedtoresideonsite.Giventhevulnerableconditionoftheresidents,thisincreasedfoottrafficposesasignificantdangertobothpedestriansandvehicledrivers.Additionally,asignificantportionofthepedestriansusingthesecrossingsareK-12school-agedchildren,someaccompaniedbyparents,andyoungchildreninstrollerswithguardians,whoareevenmoresusceptibletoharm.AccordingtothecountyandLifeMoves,57%ofLifeMovesBentonresidentswillhaveseriousphysicalormentalillnesses 2 .Therefore,itiscrucialtoconsiderthesafetyofall
2https://youtu.be/3Q31bUIdBFU
1https://osh.sccgov.org/sites/g/files/exjcpb671/files/2023-03/Benton_Community_Mtg_No2_Presentation_030123_incl_map.pdf,slide27. pedestrians,includingvulnerablepopulations,whenevaluatingthepotentialrisksassociatedwiththeincreasedfoottraffic.
1.3Traffic
Itcanalsobeexpectedthatsuchamajordevelopment(approx.maxof248peopleatanygiventime)willdriveasignificantincreaseinvehicletraffic-bystaff,volunteers,delivery,police,fire,EMT,andsomeresidents.ConsistentwithotherHomeKeyandLifemovesdevelopments,itisreasonabletoexpectthatsomeresidentswillownvehicles(seesection1.4formoreinformation).Webelievethistrafficwillhaveasignificantlydetrimentaleffectonthesurroundingarea’senvironment,negativelyimpactinglocalresidents-includingnoise,pollution,andcongestion.
1.4Parking
BentonandFloraVistaAvealreadyexperiencedsignificantparkingissuesasaresultoftheexistingmediumandhighdensityhousingdevelopmentsonthosestreets,particularlyduringnon-workinghours.Thechurchbehindthesiteisshortofparkingspaceandhasbeenusingthesitelotforoverflowparking.Nowasthesiteisnolongeravailableforoverflowparking,wecanonlyexpectparkingtogetworsewith248newresidentsplusstaffaddingtothealreadypackedneighborhood.Theproposeddevelopmentallowsfor80parkingspaces,someofwhichwilllikelybeusedbystaff.Thecounty’smostrecentstatisticsshowthatover18%ofunhousedresidentscurrentlyliveinavehicle(bothcarsandRVs).ThereforewecanexpectasignificantnumberofBentonpatronstohaveavehicle.Additionally,onewouldexpectasignificantnumberofpatronstoacquirevehiclesastheyreintegrateintohousingandthejobmarket.Takentogether,weexpectthiswillcausesignificantparkingoverflowissuesontoalreadycongestedneighborhoodstreetsinbothSantaClaraandSunnyvale.
Webelieveourconcernsherearejustified.ThesimilarbutsmallerLifeMovesdevelopmentinMountainViewshowssignificantvehicleoverflow,includingbothcarsandRVs,ontonearbystreets,withlocalbusinessownersconfirmingthatvehiclesareoftenparkedformonths.
ThereisalsosignificantvehicleoverflowontothestreetssurroundingtheMilpitasHomekeysite,includingRVdwellerswhoparknearbyinthehopeofobtainingresidencyatthefacility.TheRVsareasafetyhazardtolocalresidentsastherehavebeenreportsofseveralRVfiresonnearbystreets.TheCityofMountainViewhasprohibitedRVparkingwithincitylimitsin2022,resultinginmorehomelessindividualswithRVsmovingtonearbycitieslikeSantaClara 3 .ThischangeisalsoreflectedinthereductionoftheunhousedpopulationnumbersinMountainViewwhileseeinganincreaseinneighboringcitiessuchasSunnyvale,SantaClara,andRedwoodCity. 3 https://www.mv-voice.com/news/2023/03/30/five-key-takeaways-from-an-investigation-into-lifemoves-mountain-view
1.5WasteManagement
Asiteofthisdensity,withsuchalargepopulation,willbeexpectedtogenerateasignificantamountofwaste.Itisnotclearthattherewillbesufficientfacilitiesorspaceavailableforadequatewastemanagementatthissite.
1.6BioretentionCompliance
Stormwatertreatmentmeasures(bioretentionareas)arerequired 4 forallconstructionprojectsthatcreateand/orreplace10,000squarefeetormoreofimpervioussurface.Wehavenotseenaplanthatsetsoutareasofthedevelopmentincompliancewiththebioretentionrequirement.Wehavealsonotseenbudgetproposalsandfundingonmaintenanceandupkeepofbioretentionareas,whichfromourpersonalexperienceashomeownerscanbeextremelyexpensiveanddifficulttomaintain.ThiswilllikelyresultinincreasedbudgetrequirementsfortheCitytomaintain.
SectionII:NeighborhoodImpact
2.1IncreasedBurdenandFiscalStrainonEmergencyServicesAccordingtocountydata 5 ,overhalfofSantaClara'shomelesspopulationhavecriminalbackgrounds,spenttimeinjail,andsufferfromseriousmentalillness.Testimonyfrompolice,councilmembersinSantaClaraandSunnyvaleshowed80%-90%ofthehomelesspopulationinSantaClarahavedrugaddictions.ThelowbarrierdesignoftheBentonprojectwouldallowindividualswithcriminalbackgrounds,drugaddicts,andthosewithseriousmentalillnessestoresideinthefacilityandstayintheneighborhood.Theseindividualswillincreasethelikelihoodofcriminalactivityanddisturbances,disruptingthelivesofnearbyresidentsandstudents.ThisassumptionisfullyevidencedbythespikeincrimeatandaroundMountainViewLeghorn,MilpitasHillview,andtheKiferCalabazasCommunitysupportivehousingsites,includingviolence,burglary,stolenvehicles,rape,anddrug-relatedcrimes.
ThecityofSantaClarahasnotshownanysignsofbeingpreparedtohandleanincreaseincrimeratesassociatedwiththeproject.SantaClara'spoliceforceisalreadyunderstaffed,andcurrentCalifornialawsmakeitdifficulttocontrolorremoveproblematicordangerousoccupants.TheincreaseddemandonpoliceresourcesfromtheBentonsitecouldtakeawayresourcesfromtherestofresidents,leadtoslowerresponsetimesandanoverallincreaseincrimethroughoutthecity. 5 chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://osh.sccgov.org/sites/g/files/exjcpb671/files/documents/BentonLawrence_Community-Meeting-1-Deck.pdf,orhttps://osh.sccgov.org/project-homekey-scc/benton 4 https://www.santaclaraca.gov/our-city/departments-g-z/public-works/environmental-programs/stormwaterpollution-prevention/stormwater-resources-for-development-construction TheBentonprojectwillnegativelyimpactsurroundingbusinessesaswell,asevidencedbytherecentclosuresofWholeFoods'flagshipstoreinSanFrancisco,closureofaCVSnearaHomekeysiteinSanJoseduetoemployeeandpublicsafetyconcerns,andthesaleofthebusinessparknexttoMilpitas'sitebyitsowner 6 .Inaddition,businessessurroundingtheMountainViewLeghornsitehavehadtoaddsecurity.WedonotwantSantaClaratobecomeanothercitythatlosesitsbusinesses.
2.2Crime
Inordertoappeaseconcernsrelatedtoincreaseincrimerelatedtothisproposedsite,LiveMovesclaimsthesitewillhavestrictpolicy.ProjectHomekey2.0,per“housingfirst”criteria 7 ,doesnotallowanyvettingofresidents.SantaClaraCounty’sownstatistics 8 showthatover25%ofthehomelesspopulationhasspentatleastonenightinjail-inthepasttwelvemonths.42%havePsychiatric/EmotionalConditions;35%areexperiencingissueswithDrugorAlcoholuse;33%sufferfromPTSD.Theseissuesarevastlyoverrepresentedintheunhousedvs.thegeneralpopulation.
Concentratingthispopulation-withoutanyvetting,inaradicallyexperimental,ultrahighdensitydevelopmentinthemiddleofaresidentialneighborhoodislikelytoleadtosignificantissuesinthelocalarea,includingseriouscrime,harmtoproperty,pettycrimeanddrugdealing.
LifeMovesthemselveshavetalkedabout“curfew”and“buildingrelationshipswithlocal lawenforcement”.Neitheroftheseprovisionslendcredencetothefactthatthefacilitywillnothaveanegativeimpactonthearea.Clearly,crimeandanti-socialbehaviorISaconcern,otherwise,whythemitigations? 8 https://osh.sccgov.org/sites/g/files/exjcpb671/files/2019SCCHomelessCensusandSurveyReport.pdf 7 https://homekey.hcd.ca.gov/sites/default/files/2021-09/HousingFirstGuidanceChecklist.pdf 6 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8BR0sffdNLg&t=9458s,Mayorcomment-tenantsinthebusinessparknextdoorwhohavebeentherefor22yearsareleaving.Andthebusinessparkislistedforsalebytheowner.2:58:35
2.2.1PublicSafetyDataonMilpitas
ThecomparableMilpitasprojectprovidessolidevidenceoncrimespikes.Thesupportivehousingat1000HillviewCtopenedattheendof2020.Thecityisseeingstrikingcrimestatistics,withtotalpolicecallsincreasingby300%andtotalfirecallsby400%in2022.Theaveragepoliceservicetimeiscloseto50hourspermonth,andcrimesincludeassault,drug-relatedoffenses,burglary,rape,sexoffenderincidents,stolenvehicles,andothersuspiciouscircumstances.MayorCarmenandCouncilmemberChuachallengedthecounty'sadmissioncriteria,claimingthatthescreeningprocesswasnotworkingandthatproblematictenantsanddrugaddictionswerenotbeingremoved.
Additionally,thecountyhadpromisedthattheywillprioritizeMilpitashomelessinthisfacility.Yet,only10Milpitashomelessindividualslivewithinthe132unitapartmentin2022.Thereisnostaffonsitetorepairelevators,firealarms,smokedetectors.Finally,tenantsfromthebusinessparknextdoorareleavingduetothenegativeimpactsfrom1000HillviewCourtApartment.
Pleasenotethatthisfacilityisapermanenthousingwithascreeningprocess.TheinterimhousingatBentonwithminimalscreeningwillsurelybemuchworse.
2.2.2PublicSafetydataonLifeMovesMountainViewTheLifeMovesMountainViewsiteopenedmid2021.Sinceitsopening,thenumberofpolicecallshasincreasedsignificantly,risingfrom3callsin2020to94in2021(7months)and141in2022.WearecurrentlyrequestingmoredatafromtheMountainViewPoliceDepartmenttofurtheranalyzethesituationinthenearbyneighborhood,basedoncomplaintsfromthatsite’sneighbors.
Numberofpolicecallsovertheyears
Policecallbytype
2.2.3PublicSafetyDataatfiveSanJosesitesDuringthethirdcommunitymeeting,ConsueloHernandez,Director,OSHCountyofSantaClara,citedanews report byKQED 9 that complaints aredownafter interimhousingsites opened. However, herstatementishighlymisleadingforseveralreasons.Firstly,noneofthefiveSanJosesitesmentionedinthenews report areinresidential areas, but insteadarelocatedinindustrial or commercial areas.Secondly,thebarchartpresentedduringthemeetingshowsthetotalnumberofincidentsforallfivesitescombined.Onesiteissignificantlylargerthantheotherfour,whichskewstheaverage.Ifyoufilterthedatabyindividual sites, it becomes evident that four out of thefivesiteshaveexperiencedanincreaseincrimeinoneofthecategoriessincetheyopened.Thirdly,thedatashowsthatthelongerasite has been open, the more crimes it generates, contradicting the notion that complaints aredecreasing.Fourthly,thedatapresentedduringthemeetingdidnotaccountforvarioustypesofcrime,includingviolence,drug-relatedoffenses,mentaldisorder-relatedincidents,theft,andfelonies. 9https://sanjosespotlight.com/santa-clara-city-expects-increase-in-homeless-residents-unhoused/
2.2.4“Therearecrimeseverywhere,notonlyattheinterimhousing” Todate,noneofthesafetyconcernsraisedbythecommunityhavebeenaddresseddirectlyandseriously.CouncilmemberSudsJainsclaimedseveraltimesthat“therearecrimeseverywhere,notonlyattheinterimhousing”and“yournextdoorneighborcouldbeamurdererorcriminal”,whichhestatedinanattempttojustifythatinterimhousingorsupportivehousingfacilitiesarenomoredangerousthananywhereelse.
CouncilmemberSuds’argumentisatypicalexampleofthefallacyofreversingtheburdenofproof.Thelogicofthisfallacyistoshifttheresponsibilityofprovingapointfromthepersonmakingtheclaimtothepersonopposingit.Inthiscase,thecommunitymakesaclaimaboutthecrimerateorsafetyrisktheBentonsitewouldbringtotheneighborhood,andcouncilmemberSudsattemptedtorefuteitwithoutprovidinganyevidencetosupporthisrebuttal.Thisresponsedoesnotaddressthecommunity’sconcernsanddoesnotprovideanyusefulinformation.Therefore,thistypeofrebuttalisalogicalfallacyandthereareseveralmoreexamplesthatwewillbehappytoshare.
2.3DrugandAlcoholAbuseinLocalArea
LifeMoveshasstatedthat“Clientswill not bepermittedtouseDrugsor Alcohol onsite.”TheBentonsiteisimmediatelyadjacenttoa7-Elevenconveniencestore(open24hours),whichsellsalcohol.Thereisanotherliquorstoreinthesameplaza.ItisareasonableexpectationthatsomeLifeMovespatronswillpurchasealcoholthere,andthenmovetothenearbyEarlRCarmichaelParktoconsumeit.Experiencefromotherlocationsshowsthatclientswillalsousenearbyparksandparkinglotstopurchaseandusedrugs-soastotechnicallybeincompliancewithnotusingsubstancesonsite.
LifeMoveshasstatedthat“participantsmaybeaskedtoleavefor substanceabusethat isdisruptivetositeservices, residentsor staff”.Giventhehighincidenceofsubstanceabuseinthispopulation,itcanbeassumedthat(1)patronswillregularlybeaskedtoleaveandthat(2)beingunhoused,thosepatronswillremaininthenearbyneighborhood,specificallytheEarlRCarmichaelParkorthe7-Elevenplaza,afewstepsaway,andwillcontinuetoexperienceaddictionissuesthere,withacommensuratenegativeimpactonthatparkandthelocality.
Theseareparticularconcernstothesurroundingneighborhoodwhichmostlyconsistsofseniorcitizensandfamilieswithsmallchildrenwhoarelookingforwardtosafelyvisitingourparksandplayground.Itisalsohighlyconcerningforwomenwhowishtogoforwalkswiththeirpetsandchildren.
2.4SiteSecurity
Inordertomitigatepotentialcrime,LifeMoveshasstatedthattheBentonprojectwillhave24hoursecurity.However,othersimilarsitessuchastheMilpitasHomeKeyalsohave24hoursecurityandexperiencedon-siteissueswithinmonths,includingviolentassault,rape,andevenamurder(see2.6andSection4formoredetails).Moreover,on-sitesecurityattheMilpitassitewasdeficientattimes,asresidentscouldnotlocateon-sitesecurity,andtherewasnooneavailabletocheckinguests 10 .SafeSCCmembersalsovisitedtheMTVsiteatnightandfoundthatresidentswerestillabletoenterandexitthesiteaftercurfew.On-sitesecurityalsocannottakelawenforcementactionagainstproblematicresidents,asdemonstratedbytheMilpitasandMTVsiteswhereresidentswhoviolatedsiteruleswerenotremovedandstillresideonthesite(refertosection2.6formoredetails).Additionally,on-sitesecuritycannotaddressspill-overissuesfromthisdevelopmenttothebroaderneighborhood.WeareconcernedthatLifeMovesmaydisregardactualsecurityissuesintheneighborhoodbyreferencingproposedon-sitesecurity(refertosection2.5formoredetails). 10https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1sqJldTlpmU&t=2570s,start1:31:25,CouncilmemberKarinaR.Dominguez(whoistheinitialsupporterforthisproject)visitedthesiteonedaypriortocity’sscheduledcheck,andcommentedangrily:Therewasno24/7security,noonetherechecking-invisitors…carpetsandrestroomsaresodirtyinthe2ndand3rdfloors…noevictionforcrimes.“Theseneedtobeaddressedimmediately.”
2.5GeneralLoitering,SolicitationandOtherImpacts
Adevelopmentof120-240peoplecanbeexpectedtogeneratesignificantadditionalhumantrafficinthevicinity(friends,partners,acquaintances,businessassociates,etc).ThisLifeMovesfacilityhassolittlespace(seeappendix3)thatitseemscleartherewillnotbesufficient,ifany,roomforguestsandsocializationwithinthefacility.Further,itisunknownwhetheracquaintanceswhohaveacriminalbackgroundwouldbepermittedonsiteornot.Thereforeitisreasonabletoassumewewillseesignificantloiteringintheneighborhoodoutsideofthefacility.Giventhedensityofthearea,itislikelyloiteringwouldoccureitherinthe7-Elevenparkinglotoratthelocalpark,whichwillbe600metersawayfromthesite.
Additionally,giventhewelldocumentedaddictionandsocialissuesinthispopulation,andthefactthatdrugandprostitutionactivitywaswellknownatothersitescurrentlyfrequentedbytheunhoused(suchasnearbyBellaVistasite),weexpecttoseeadrasticincreaseindrugdealers,gangsters,pimps,andsexworkersloiteringinthesurroundingneighborhoods.Thesurroundingneighborhoodscurrentlyconsistofestablishedsuburbslargelyconsistingoffamilieswithsmallchildren.
IthasbeenobservedthatLifeMoves'MountainViewsiteacceptsfamiliesandhasinstalledafenceandlockedgatebetweenthefamilyunitsandotherunits.TheargumentbeingpresentedsuggeststhatthepresenceofthisfenceandgateisstrongevidencethatLifeMovesisawareofthesafetythreatthatsingleclientswouldposetofamiliesandchildren,andthattheseclientsarenotlaw-abidingresidents.However,infourcommunitymeetings,LifeMovesclaimedthattheirclientscanbepartofthecommunitywithoutposingasafetythreat.
ThenearestgrocerystoretoBentonwillbeSuperKyo-PoPlazaonHomesteadandLawrence.Giventhelackoftransport,weexpecttoseecartsfromthestoreregularlybroughttotheBentonSiteandabandoned.ThiswouldbeconsistentwithwhathasbeenobservedattheMountainViewsite.
2.6IssuesAtExistingHomeKeySites
2.6.1HomekeyMilpitasSimilarconcerns(crime,loitering)wereraisedaboutarecentHomeKeydevelopmentinMilpitas,andthoseconcerns,dismissedbyofficialsatthetime,haveproventrue.Aftertwoyearsofoperation,policecallsskyrocketedfrom121in2020to393in2022.JaredHernandez,MilpitasPoliceChief,saidduringthecouncilmeeting:“Whencomparingthecrimestatistics, HillviewCt will outpaceanyapartment complexinthecityof Milpitas.”ThedetailsofthecrimesreportedarelistedbelowinthepolicereportinMilpitascouncilmeeting.
ThemanagementandoperationofMilpitasHomeKeyprojectisalsopoorandproblematic. ● InHillviewCt,peoplewithseverecriminalbackgroundswereadmitted● Ziplocbagsofmethwerefoundonsite● ProblematictenantsanddrugaddictionswerenotlikelytoberemovedfromthesiteduetoStatelaw.● Only10Milpitashomelesslivewithinthe132unitsapartment.● Nostaffonsitetorepairelevator,firealarm,smokedetector,etc.● Tenantsfromthebusinessparknextdoor“wereleaving,andthebusinessownerputthepropertyonsalebecauseofthenegativeimpactsfromHillviewCt.”● AsofNovember2022:○ Strikingcrimerateremained○ CouncilmemberKarinaR.Dominguez(whoistheinitialsupporterforthisproject)
visitedthesiteonedaypriortocity’sscheduledcheck,andcommentedangrily:Therewasno24/7security, noonetherechecking-invisitors…carpetsandrestroomsaresodirtyinthe2ndand3rdfloors…noevictionfor crimes.“Theseneedtobeaddressedimmediately. 11 ”● AsofFebruary2023:○ MilpitasrequestedadditionalpoliceofficerstobefundedbyCountysinceAugust2022,buthasyettoreceivearesponsefromtheCounty.○ Disabledoccupantsarestuckduetobrokenelevatorforatleast8months.“Itgoesdownatleastonceaweek”,saidReeve,oneoftheresidents.
Benton,similartoMilpitas,wouldbeasupportivehousingfacility.However,Bentonisintendedtobeusedasinterimhousing,asteppingstonetopermanenthousing.DespitealloftheissuesthattheMilpitasprojecthasexperienced,theyscreenresidents.SincetheproposedBentonsitewouldbeintendedtohouselow-barriertenantsassoonaspossible,LifeMoveswillnotdobackgroundchecksorimposerestrictionsonpotentialtenantselection.Theironlygoalistogetthemoffthestreet,atanycosttothelocalresidents.ItisthereforefairtoanticipateincreasedcrimeratesanddisruptionatornearBentonthanexperiencedatMilpitasHillview.
2.6.2LifeMovesMountainViewTheLifeMovesfacilityatLeghornStinMountainViewhashadasignificantdetrimentaleffectonthelocalneighborhood.AlocalbusinessownerconfirmedthattherehasbeenasignificantexitofbusinessownersfromthevicinitysincetheLifeMovessiteopened.ItcanbeseenthatthreecommercialpropertiesdirectlyoppositetheLifeMovessiteinMountainViewarenowempty.
Wehavealsobeeninformedthattherehasalsobeensignificantpoliceactivityatthesite.Sinceitsopeninginmid2021,thenumberofpolicecallshasincreasedsignificantly,risingfrom3callsin2020to94in2021and141in2022.WearecurrentlyrequestingmoredatafromtheMountainViewPoliceDepartmenttofurtheranalyzethesituation. 11https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1sqJldTlpmU&t=2570s,starts2:07:35 AvisittotheMountainViewsiteconfirmedthepresenceofalcoholcontainersonpublicandneighboringproperties;abandonedcars;abandonedshoppingcarts.Further,ourrepresentativewitnessedpublicurinationoutsideofthefacilityandwasaccostedbyanindividualonthestreetoutsideofthefacility.
2.7PostDevelopmentOperatingRestrictionsWeareconcernedthatoncethisdevelopmentisapproved,anypre-developmentrestrictionsagreedtobyLifeMoveswhicharenotlegallybindingandenforceablewillnotbeadheredto.Thisincludes(butisnotlimitedto)capacity,tenantselection,securityarrangements,curfews,maintenanceobligations,neighborhoodengagement.ThisconcernisevidencedbywhathashappenedatLifeMoves’PaloAltosite.Becauseconstructioncostsdoubledresultinginafundingshortageof$8million,LifeMovesbrokecommitmentsmadeandhaveremoved24/7onsitesecurity,supportiveoffices,andfencing.Thishappenedwithinjustoneyearofsiteapproval.
SectionIII:LocationConcerns
3.1LandPurposeTheBentonlocationisnotavacantorabandonedlandasclaimedbythecounty.Infact,itisoneofthelastfewplacesintheareawhereregularcommunityandfamilyeventstakeplaceduringtraditionalholidayssuchasChristmasandHalloween.AccordingtoABCTreeFarms,theBentonlandseesapproximately2,500-3,000localfamiliesvisitingeachyearforcommunityandfamilyeventsduringtheholidayseasons.Thisisanirreplaceablecommunityandfamilytraditionforlocalfamilies.TherearemanyvacantlotsinthebusinessareaofSantaClarathatcouldbeusedforshelteratsimilarorcheapercost.Itisinhumane,reckless,andagainstthespiritofdemocracyforthecityandcountytoforcethecommunitylottobetakenawayfromlocalresidentswhentheyhavemanyotheroptionsavailableandface90%oppositionfromlocalresidentsifplacedatBenton.
3.2DistancetoschoolsThereare15schoolsandatleast31daycareswithin1.5milesofBentonlocation,servingover11thousandsstudentsandfamilies.NoothercommunitiesinSantaClarahavesuchadenseconcentrationofschools.
Allowingindividualswithavarietyofcriminalbackgrounds,includingassault,robbery,drugs,attemptedhomicide,andsexoffenses,aswellasmanywithseverementalinstabilityanddrugaddictiontoresidenearschools,familieswithyoungchildren,andseniorcitizenscanposeasignificantthreattothehealth,safetyandwell-beingofthecommunity.Peoplewithcriminalbackgroundsmayhaveahistoryofviolenceorothercriminalactivities,puttingchildrenandfamiliesatriskofharm.Sexoffenders,inparticular,mayhaveahighriskofreoffending,andlivingincloseproximitytopotentialvictimscouldincreasethatrisk.Drugaddicts,meanwhile,mayengageinbehaviorthatisdisruptiveordangerous,potentiallyleadingtoviolenceorothercriminalactivity.Drugaddictsandalcoholicscannotbeexpectedtokickthehabitwithinacoupleofmonths.Theywouldbebetterservedataninpatientfacilitydedicatedtosuchillnesses.
Furthermore,childrenareespeciallyvulnerabletothenegativeeffectsoflivingnearindividualswithcriminalbackgrounds,sexoffenders,anddrugaddicts.Exposuretosuchindividualscanleadtoemotionaltrauma,anxiety,andfear,andnegativelyimpactchildren'smentalhealthandoverallwell-being.Additionally,childrenmaybemoresusceptibletotheinfluenceoftheseindividuals,potentiallyleadingtoearlyexposuretodruguseorcriminalactivities.
IthasbeenobservedthatLifeMoves'MountainViewsiteacceptsfamiliesandhasinstalledafenceandlockedgatebetweenthefamilyunitsandotherunits.TheargumentbeingpresentedsuggeststhatthepresenceofthisfenceandgateisstrongevidencethatLifeMovesisawareofthesafetythreatthatsingleclientswouldposetofamiliesandchildren,andthattheseclientsarenotnormalandlaw-abidingresidents.However,infourcommunitymeetings,LifeMovesclaimedthattheirclientscanbepartofthecommunitywithoutposingasafetythreat.
Schoolsanddaycareswithin1.5milesradiusoftheBentonsite
LifeMovesMTVsitehasasecuredgaterestrictingothertenantsfromaccessingfamilies.LifeMovesisfullyawareofthepotentialsafetythreattofamiliesandchildren.
3.3DistancetoJobOpportunitiesThecountyandcouncilmemberSudsJainclaimedthatbuildingnearElCaminoRealwillhelphomelessindividualsfindjobs.
However,currentlyneitherthecountynorLifeMoveshaveprovidedanydatatoshowthat:1)LivingnearElCaminoRealiscrucialforthehomelesstofindjobs;2)ElCaminoRealoffersmorejobopportunitiesforindividualswithcriminalrecords,drugaddiction,andmentalhealthissuesthanotherlocationsinSantaClaracity;3)Homelessindividualscanonlyfindworkneartheirplaceofresidence.
Infact,themajorityofthehomelesspopulationinSantaClaralacksthedesireandabilitytofindemployment,withmanyindividualsnotwantingtoworkorneedingtoovercomedrugaddictionormentalhealthissuesfirst.
Thosewhoarewillingandabletofindworkwouldnotbelimitedtoonlyonestreet.Manyoftheseindividualsalsohavecars,andforthosewhodonot,itismoreimportantforthesitetobenearabusstop.However,theBentonprojectisnearly1mileawayfromtheclosestbusstop.
Inreality,jobssuchascleaningandfloormaintenancearemoreabundantinindustrialandcommercialareasthaninresidentialneighborhoods.
3.4DistancetoTransport
Thisproposedlocationislocatedatasignificantdistancefrompublictransport.ThenearestpublictransportoptionistheElCaminobuscorridor,located0.9milesfromthesite(~18minwalkforhealthyadultswithoutbagsetc.).Thisisasignificantdistanceifoneisexpectedtotravelwithchildren,shopping/groceries,etc,orforpersonswhomayhaveotherhealthissues.
3.5DistancefromSupportServices
TheBentonProjectsiteislocatedinthemiddleofaresidentialcommunityandissurroundedbyresidentialneighborhoodsonallsides(includingontheoppositesideofLawrenceExpressway).Thesiteisfarfromtheexpectedservicesandfacilitiesthattheunhousedpopulationwouldbeexpectedtorelyon,includinglackofeasyaccesstolocationsfortransportation,healthcare,fooddistribution,governmentbenefits,andsupportservices(e.g.centersforemployment,rehabilitation,mentalhealth,andmultilingualservices). NearbyKaiserHospitalonlyservesKaisermembersexceptintheeventofalifethreateningemergency,whichinmostcaseswouldbetakentoaLevel1traumacentersuchasStanfordorValley.
Theproposedsitewouldisolatepeopleinneedandrequirethemtowalktopublictransportation(0.9milesaway,asmentionedin3.4)forvirtuallyanyoftheaboveneeds--again,thiswouldbeparticularlychallengingforthosewithhealthissues.Theironlyconvenienceswouldbeaccesstoa7/11andaliquorstore.
3.6Air&NoiseQuality
Asmentionedabove,thissiteislocatedbetweenthreemajorroads,includinganexpressway,andbetweentwomajorintersections.Theminorintersectionisusedbythousandsofvehiclesperday,themajorintersectionbyuptoonequarterofamillionvehiclesperday.Perthe LiveMovesproposals,thecontainerunitswouldbelocatedjustfeetfromtheseroads.
WeareconcernedthatairqualityatthislocationmaynotbesafeforhumanhabitationandspecificallymaybeparticularlydangerousforadultsandchildrenwithchroniclungconditionssuchasasthmaorCOPD.Effectsandexposuremaybeexacerbatedbythenon-standardconstructionmethodsproposedforthedevelopment.
Wearealsoconcernedthatthenoisequalityatthislocationisabovealevelthatissuitableforhumanhabitation,especiallyforapopulationlikelysufferingfromtraumaandPTSD,inunitswhichwilllikelyhavefarlesssoundinsulationthatmightbeexpectedfromconventionaldwellings.
3.7LiquorStoreThereisaliquorstoreacrossfromthesite,andthe7-Elevenalsosellsalcohol. Theyposeapotentialsafetyhazardforover60%oftheresidentswithaddiction,alcoholism,andmentalhealthissues.
3.8ProximitytoBellaVistaInterimHousingTheBentonlocationisonlyhalfamileawayfromBellaVistaInterimHousing.Havingtwointerimhousingprojectswiththe"morechallengingpopulation"inoneneighborhoodisnotonlyrecklessbutalsoirresponsibleforthewell-beingoftheresidentsandenjoymentofthecommunity.ThepolicehavealreadyexperiencedahigherthannormalvolumeofcallsfromtheBellaVistasite,whichhasonlybeenopenforlessthantwomonths.Addinganothersiteinsuchcloseproximitywillonlyexhaustpoliceresourcesandtakeawayresourcesfromotherresidentsintheneighborhood.Twositesinthesameneighborhoodwillsignificantlyconsumepublicsafetyresourcesfromotherresidents,slowdownpoliceresponsetimes,andeventuallyputtheentireareaindanger.ThereisnoclearreasongivenwhythisneighborhoodhastoaccepttwoHomeKeyandinterimhousingprojects,andwhythehomelesspopulationhastobeputinthisneighborhood,otherthan‘theproperty,anequipmentlot,isownedbythecounty.’
3.9.SimilarProjectLocations&Facilities
ExistinghomelesssheltersinSantaClaraCountyareprimarilylocatedinindustrialorcommercialareas,orseparatedfromresidentialneighborhoods.Thisminimizestheimpactofcriminalactivityanddisturbancesonnearbyresidents.However,theBentonprojectdeviatesfromthispattern.TheLifeMovesBentondevelopmentisaradicallyexperimentaldevelopmentwithoutanyprecedent.●ItwouldbethefirstLifeMoves“lowbarriershelter”interimhousinginanexclusivelyresidentialneighborhoodlocationatthecenterof15schoolsover11,000schoolchildrenandfamilies.●ItwouldbethefirstHomekey3.0interimhousingwithoperationdurationrequiredtobeat least30years
12 .PreviousHomekeyinterimhousingoperationdurationisonly15years.●ItwouldhavethehighestdensityofresidentsofanyLifeMovescontainerdevelopment,giventhelargenumberofunitsandthesmalllot.
WedonotbelievethattheBentonneighborhoodisasuitablelocationforanovelhousingexperimentofthismagnitude.Othernearbycitieshavechosennottotakeasimilarrisk.
TheaforementionedLifeMovesfacilityunderdevelopmentinPaloAltowillbelocatedat1237SanAntonioRoad,ontheedgeoftheBay,inanindustrial/commercialzone.Thedevelopmentisremovedfromresidentialneighborhoodsbyoveronemile(ontheothersideofthe101freeway).
LifeMovesPaloAlto
TheLifeMovesfacilityat2566LeghornStinMountainViewisalsolocatedinthemiddleofacommercial/industrialzone.
LifeMovesMountainView
Incontrasttotheabovefacilities,LifeMovesBentonwouldbeinaverylowdensityresidentialneighborhood, immediatelyadjacenttoexistinglowdensityresidentialdevelopmentswith 12https://www.hcd.ca.gov/sites/default/files/docs/grants-and-funding/homekey/Homekey-Round-3-Notice-of-Funding-Availability.pdf
thousandsofhomes.TheBentonShoppingCenter(gasstation,7-11,liquorstore,etc)acrossthestreetistheonly‘neighborhoodcommercial’zonedpropertyinanotherwiseexclusivelyresidentialneighborhood.
LifeMovesBenton
OttoLee,aSantaClaraCountySupervisorandoneoftheCounty'sstrongestsupportersofHomeKey,hasexpressedconcernaboutthecurrentsitedesignandlow-barrieradmissioncriteria.Hehasstatedthatsuchasiteshouldnotbelocatedinaresidentialarea.
ThisultrahighdensityinterimhousingmodelproposedforBentonisunprovenandLifeMoveshasnoexperienceinoperatingorsecuringsuchafacility.Thisiseffectivelyaradicalsocialexperimentinaresidentialneighborhood.
Section4:SiteSpecificConcerns
4.1SiteDesign
LifeMovesandthecountyhavenotprovidedcompletedesignplansandmanagementpolicies.Theonlysiteplan 13 thecommunitywasinformedistheoneatthesecondcommunitymeeting,whichmissedalotofimportantaspects.Therearemoreoptionswithfewunitsweresharedinthelastcommunitymeeting,butthosearethesiteplansofLifeMoves’MountainViewsiteandPaloAltositeswithoutanychangestoadjusttotheBentonsite.Soit’snotclearhowthoseoptionsaregoingtobeusefulforBentonsite. 13https://osh.sccgov.org/sites/g/files/exjcpb671/files/2023-03/Benton_Community_Mtg_No2_Presentation_030123_incl_map.pdf,slide27.
Thoseaspectsincludebutnotlimitedto:
● FenceDesign:Thedeckpresentedinthesecondcommunitymeetingonlyindicatedthattherewouldbeafenceonthecreekside,butitisuncleariffenceswillalsobeinstalledontheotherthreesidesofthesite,andwhattypeoffencewillbeused.Theexistenceanddesignofthefencecanmakeadifferenceinhowthesheltercouldimpacttheneighborhood.Forexample,1000HillviewCt,thesupportivehousinginMilpitas,doesn’thaveafence,thenitresultedinverynegativeimpacttothenextdoorbusinesspark,leadingtomanybusinessesleavingandtheownerputtingtheparkonsale 14 .● Entrance:Thereisnoclearinformationregardingthenumberofentrancestothesiteandwhethertheywillbecontrolled.Whetherornottheentranceisfullycontrollediscriticalforthesafetyofthesiteandneighborhood.Policetestimonieshavestatedthatcrimesanddamagescanbeabiteasiertomitigateifthereisonlyoneentranceinandoutofthesite,andtheentranceisfullycontrolled.● Parking:Itisunclearwhetherthe80parkingspotsprovided,whichincludetheparkinglotforLifeMovesstaff,willbesufficientforamaximumof248residents(detailspleaseseesection1.4).● BuildingHeight:Thereisconfusionregardingthenumberofstoriesthebuildingwillhave.Inthefirstandsecondcommunitymeetings,LifeMovesstatedthebuildingwouldbe4stories,butinthefourthmeeting,theyclaimeditcouldbe2stories.Meanwhile,theNoticelettersentbytheCityofSantaClarastatedthatthebuildingwouldbe3stories.
4.2OnsitePolicy
LifeMovesbrieflymentionedduringthethirdcommunitymeetingafewpoliciesitplannedtoimplement.However,thesepoliciesdidnotincludeanydetailsonhowtheywouldbeenforced.Rulesthatlackenforcementorpenaltiesaremeaningless.EvidencefromLifeMoves’Mountain 14https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8BR0sffdNLg&t=9458s,starts2:58:00
Viewsiteshowedthattenantswhohaveconductedsextualharassmentseveraltimesstillstayedonthesite,andsitemanagerwasnotabletoremovehim 15 .
WhatCountyhasbrieflymentionedonsitepolicyduringthethirdcommunitymeeting ItisalsounclearhowLifeMovesplanstoconductdrugtestsforitsclients,aswellashowthecurfewpolicyandpenaltieswillbeimplemented.Withoutdrugtests,screening,curfews,andenforcementofitspolicies,itisreasonabletoassumethatproblematictenantsonBentonwillhaveanegativeimpactontheneighboringcommunity.
EvenifweassumeLifeMovescouldeventuallycarryoutexecutionandenforcementplans,therearestillconcernsabouthowtheycanguaranteethattheywillnotrepeatthefailuresseeninothersupportivehousingsites,suchasLeghorninMountainViewandHillviewinMilpitas.
TheHillviewsiteinMilpitasisaclearexampleofhowpoormanagementofsupportivehousingcanhavenegativeconsequences,eventhoughtherearewelldocumentedpolicies.whichcausedalarmintheneighborhood.Furthermore,asmorepeoplewerehousedinthesite,thereportedcasesofcriminalbehaviorincreased 16 .Theseissueshaveunderstandablymadethe
16https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8BR0sffdNLg&t=14650s
15https://www.almanacnews.com/news/2023/03/30/lifemoves-mountain-view-promises-to-help-homeless-clients-find-stable-housing-in-three-months-the-vast-majority-donthttps://paloaltoonline.com/news/2023/03/30/lifemoves-mountain-view-promises-to-help-homeless-clients-find-stable-housing-in-three-months-the-vast-majority-dont
communityskepticalaboutthepotentialsuccessoftheinterimhousingproject.
EvidenceonpoormanagementforHomeKeySupportiveHousing.FromthepresentationSafeSCCrepresentativedidinthepubliccommentsectiononApril4councilmeeting TheoperationofLifeMoves'MountainViewsitedemonstratesthattheirpoliciesarenotbeingenforced.WebelievethecityshouldnotconsidertheprojectuntilLifeMovesandthecountycanguaranteeareductioninthenumberofunits,stricterscreeningcriteria,effectivesecuritymeasures,appropriatedoctor/nurseoverpatientradio,andmandatoryparticipationinon-siteservicesandtreatments.
EvidenceonLifeMovesMTVsitefailedtofulfillcommitmenttohelphomeless.FromthepresentationSafeSCCrepresentativedidinthepubliccommentsectiononApril4councilmeeting Lifemovesandthecountyneedtoprovidereassurancetothecommunitybyoutliningclearplansforensuringthatthosewithseverecriminalbackgroundsarenotadmittedandthatthenumberofresidentsdoesnotleadtoincreasedcrimeintheneighborhood.Withoutaddressingtheseconcerns,LifemovesandthecountrycannotgainthetrustofthecommunityandtheCityshouldnotconsidertheinterimhousingproject.
4.3BehavioroutsidetheSiteInthethirdcommunitymeeting,ConsueloHernandezandLifeMovespresentedthepolicyatLifeMovessite.However,therehasneverbeenadiscussiononhowtomanageindividualswhodonotfollowregulationsintheinterimhousing,oraprotocolforremovingindividualswhodonotfollowregulationsandwheretheywillbeplaced.
Ifindividualswhoviolateregulationsintheinterimhousingarenotproperlymanaged,andareallowedtoremaininthesurroundingneighborhood,itcouldposeasignificantrisktothesafetyofthecommunity.
AccordingtoMilpitasChiefPolice,manyunhousedintheareaprefertheirspaceandfreedomtouseillegaldrugs.Theydonotwanttobeinclosequarterswithotherpotentiallydangerouspeopleorhavetofollowrules.Tenantswillspendtheirdaysawayfromthefacilityinthelocalparkswheretheycanmeetwiththeirfriendswhoarenotallowedintothefacility.But,Lifemovesandthecountyhavenotsharedanyplantomitigatethepotentialsafetyimpactonthenearbycommunityfromtheproposedinterimhousing.Theexamplesfromotherhousingsites,suchas
HillviewinMilpitas,whereziplocbagsofmethwerefoundinthesurroundingneighborhood 17 ,andincidentsoftrespassingandspittinghavebeenreported,highlighttheneedforaclearandeffectiveplantomanageclientbehaviorinthesurroundingareas.Similarly,atLeghorninMountainView,theownerofanadjacentautobodyshophadtocleanuplitterregularly.GiventheproposedlocationoftheBentonproject,whichisclosertoresidentialareasthanothersites,itiscrucialforLifemovesandthecountytoaddresstheseconcernscarefully.Theymusthaveaclearandeffectiveplaninplacetoregulateandmanagethebehaviorofinterimhousingclientsinthesurroundingareatominimizeanynegativeimpactontheneighborhood'ssafetyandwell-being.Withoutacomprehensiveplan,communitytrustintheprojectwillbeundermined,andtheCityshouldvotenoforthisprojectgivenitscurrentstage.
Section5:Fiscal&DeveloperConcerns
5.1CityFinanceImplications&LifeMovesFinancialReliability ThisisanewandexperimentalprojectandthereisconcernaboutLifeMoves’abilitytodeliverwithoutsignificantimpacttocityfinances.Todate,LifeMoveshassuccessfullydeliveredonlyonesimilarfacility-asinglestory,100persondevelopmentatLeghornStreetinMountainview.TheBentonprojectwillberadicallydifferent-3-4storieshigh,onasmallerlotbutoccupying200%ofoccupants,inahigh-densityresidentialneighborhood,asopposedtocommercialorbrownfieldarea.
Evenunderthebest-casescenario,theBentonprojectwouldimposeasubstantialfinancialburdenontheCity.Duringthelastpublicmeeting,ConsueloHernandezdisclosedthattheprojectwouldrequireanestimatedannualoperatingcostof$3.3millionto$4.3million,translatingtoaround$55,000perperson($150perpersonpernight).ThiscallsintoquestionthecredibilityofLifeMoves'andthecounty'sbudgetingandplanning.
LifeMovescannotbetrustedasaresponsiblefinancialpartnerfortheCity.AsimilarLifeMovesprojectstillunderdevelopmentinPaloAltohasseencostsspiralfromitsoriginalestimatesof$17mby202%or$17.4m,to$34.4m 18 ,injustoneyear,leavingthecityofPaloAltowitha$6millionfundinggap. It isthereforeunclear whowill burdentheadditional cost if thesameoccurstotheBentonproject.
Sourceof Fundsfor Capital cost AmountHomekey $21,732,228Sobrato $5,000,000 18https://www.paloaltoonline.com/news/2021/11/02/rising-costs-dont-deter-palo-alto-from-pursuing-interim-housing-projectand https://paloaltoonline.com/news/2023/03/30/as-costs-rise-palo-altos-transitional-housing-project-seeks-to-reduce-amenities 17https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8BR0sffdNLg&t=10680s
Totalreceived $26,732,228EstimatedconstructioncostasforMarch2023 $34,400,000Constructioncost gap $8millonTosavecostonconstructionforitsPaloAltosite,LifeMovesisconsideringremovingthe4/7securityitoncepromisedthecityofPaloAlto,removingspacesforsupportiveoffices,andreducingthecostofitsfence 19 .
5.2OperationCostConcernsThereareconcernsamongthepublicthattheinformationprovidedaboutacertainprojectisnotclearenough.Despiteseveralroundsofpublicmeetings,therearestillunansweredquestionsthatremain. ● OneoftheprimaryconcernsisaboutwhowillcovertheoperationcostoftheBentonproject.ItisunclearhowmuchtheSantaClaracitywillberesponsibleforpayingfortheoperationcostaftertheHomekeyfundingrunsout.● Additionally,iftheconstructioncostexceedsthebudget,itisnotclearifthecitywillhavetofillthefundinggaps.● Moreover,thepubliciscurioustoknowifthecountyhasmadeanycommitmenttofinanciallysupporttheshelteroperationforthenext15years.
Theseunansweredquestionsarecausinganxietyamongthecommunityandneedtobeaddressedassoonaspossibletoensuretransparencyandaccountabilityintheproject.Ifthefiscalquestionsregardingtheprojectarenotproperlyanswered,itcouldmakepeoplemoreconcernedabouttheservicequalityandstaffinginthehousingproject.
5.3ConcernsoverLifeMoves
5.3.1Insufficientlicensednurse
Apsychiatricunitrequiresaminimum1:6licensednurse/patientradio,24hoursadaybyCalifornialaw.YetLifeMovesrecommendsonlyONEvocationalnursefor200unscreenedhomelesstenants 20 .With57%ofoccupantshavingseriousmentalissues,thenurse/patientratioisfarbehindthelawrequirement.
5.3.2FailedmanagementinLifeMoves’sitesAccordingtothelatestnewsreport,LifeMovesMountainViewsitehasfailedtofulfillitscommitmenttohelpthehomelesstoo.281clientsexitedtheprogrambetweenitsopeningMay2021andSeptember2022,only73individuals,or26%,wereplacedinpermanenthousing,the2ndlowestrateofsuccessfulexitinthecounty. 20FromBrianGreenberg,onthefirstcommunitymeeting.
19https://paloaltoonline.com/news/2023/03/30/as-costs-rise-palo-altos-transitional-housing-project-seeks-to-reduce-amenities Thelackofservicesinacommunitycanhavedetrimentaleffectsonitsresidentsandsurroundingbusinesses 21 .Inoneparticulararea,multipleclientshavereportednotreceivingspecializedsupportinsearchingforhousing.Thisissueiscompoundedbytheshortageofcasemanagersandhousingspecialists,andtheabsenceoflicensednurses,leavingonlyinternstoprovidemedicalassistance.
Inaddition,testimoniesfromnearbybusinessesindicateariseincrime,suchasburglariesandlitteringissues.Thesecrimeshaveledtobusinessestakingmattersintotheirownhandsandhiringa24/7securityguardattheirownexpense.Toaddressthisissue,thelocalgovernmenthassteppedin,andMTVhasaddedadedicatedpoliceforcetopatrolthesite.However,withoutadequateservicesandsupport,thecommunitymaycontinuetostrugglewiththesechallenges.
5.3.3Staffingshortageanddisqualification
LifeMoves’sprojectshavefacedseriousissueswithmanagementandstaffing,leadingtoalackofadequateservicesforclientsandcrimesthatimpactthesurroundingcommunity.In2021,thefirstprogramdirectorphysicallyassaultedaformerclient,andanoutstandingarrestwarrantforthedirectorstillexists.
Furthermore,aformerclientreportedmultiplecasesofsexualharassment,butthesecondsitedirectorcouldnotremovetheharassersduetoLifeMoves'policyagainstrelocatingdrugaddictsuntiltheyovercometheiraddiction,whichisnearlyimpossibleinthe90-120daytimeframe.
Injust1.5yearsofoperation,theprojecthasalreadyshuffledatleastthreedirectors.Intermsofservices,multipleclientshavenotreceivedspecializedsupportinsearchingforhousing,andthereisashortageofcasemanagers,housingspecialists,andlicensednurses.
Thecrimesreportedbynearbybusinessesincludeburglariesandlitteringissues,leadingthemtohirea24/7securityguardattheirownexpense.TheMTVsitehasaddedadedicatedpoliceforcetopatrolthearea,highlightingtheseverityofthesafetyconcernsinthecommunity.
AlthoughCovid-19maybeacontributingfactortothelaborshortage,thetrendexistedbeforethepandemic.Giventheongoingstruggletoprovidesufficientandcompetentstaffattheircurrentlocations,itmaybemoreprudentforLifeMovestofocusonimprovingthesesitesratherthanopeningnewones,whichcouldworsenthestaffingcrisis. 21datafromthissectioncamefrom
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 Section6:ConcernsovertheNeedforaNewHomekeyProjectinSantaClara BellaVistahasjustopened.ItwouldmakemoresensetowaitandseehowitworksoutwiththeburdenitaddstothepoliceandtheneighborhoodbeforedecidingwhetherornotthesameneighborhoodcanbearanotherHomeKeyproject.
Similarly,theBrahamproject,theradicalexperimentinSanJosethatisoftencitedbytheCounty,juststartedconstructionafewdaysago.Itwouldberationalandwisetowaituntilitstartsoperatingandseehowthesiteaffectsthenearbyneighborhood.OnlyifeverythinggoesasthecountyandLifeMoveshavepromised,thenitcouldbethetimetore-proposeanothersimilarshelteratBenton.Otherwise,thecountyandLifeMoveswouldberepeatingthesamemistakes.
Atthesametime,neighboringcitiessuchasSaratoga,LosAltos,LosAltosHills,andCupertinoseemtobemakingnoprogressonprojectsunderHomeKey.ItisevidentthatthetaxpayersoftheCityofSantaClaraareeffectivelybeingaskedtomakesignificantexpenditurestosupportsolutionsforothernearbycities.
Section7:CredibilityandAccountabilityoftheCountyandLifeMoves
7.1Falseandmisleadinginformation
CountyandLifeMoveshaveconsistentlyprovidedfalseormisleadinginformation(seethetablesbelow),suchasincorrectschoolnumbers,andhaveconfusedthecommunitywithshelterterminologies.Furthermore,housingadvocateswhodon'tliveintheneighborhoodwereinvitedtospeakinsupportatallfourcommunitymeetings.ThishasgreatlyerodedthetrustandconfidenceoflocalresidentsinbothCountyandLifeMoves.ItisimperativethatCountyandLifeMovestakestepstodemonstratetheirreliabilityandaccountabilitybeforeproceedingwithanyfurtheractions.Residentsoftheneighborhoodneedtoseeevidencethattheseorganizationsaretrustworthyandcanbeheldresponsiblefortheiractions.
7.2LifeMoves'LackofTransparencyonSitePlansandImpactDataLifeMoveshasfailedtoprovideanupdatedplantodate.TheonlysiteplanwecanrefertoistheonepresentedinthefirstcommunitymeetinginFebruary.Additionally,LifeMoveshasnotprovidedupdatesonsitedesign,includingbutnotlimitedtofencedesign,entrancedesign,and
securitydesign.Theyhavealsonotprovideddetailsregardinghowtheycanenforcethesitepolicy.
Similarly,LifeMoveshasnotbeenabletoprovideanydatashowinghowmanyofitsresidentshavelocatedpermanenthousing,foundajob,orfoundajobnearthesite.Theyhavealsonotprovideddatashowingthatthesitedoesnothaveanynegativeimpactonthenearbyresidentsorneighborhood.Incontrast,wehavedatafromthelocalpolicedepartmentandnewsreporters,showinganobviouscrimespikeandnegativeimpacttothenearbyneighborhood.
7.3ResponsetoMeetingRequestsMs.CounsueloHernandezemailedafewmembersofSafeSCCthatshewantedtomeetwiththecommunityandaddresstheirconcerns.However,somecommunitymembersemailedherbackseveraltimestosetupameetingbuthavereceivednoconfirmationtodate.Accordingtoacommunitymember,ConsueloHernandezrepliedbacksayingsheisavailable,butwhenthememberrepliedbacktoconfirmtheexactdateandtime,shedisappearedagain.Herinconsistencywithcommunityconcernsisconsistent:itseemsshedoesn’tcareaboutthecommunity,contrarytowhatsheclaimedinthecommunitymeetings,andisnotinterestedintheirconcernsnorlistening.Furthermore,sheisnotrespectfulofcommunitymembers'timeandinput,whichisconsistentinherperformance,leavinghundredsofcommunityquestionsunansweredtodate(evenquestionsfromthefirstcommunitymeetingonFeb13haven'tbeenfullyansweredaftermorethan2months)inallfourcommunitymeetings'invitestomeet.
7.4DiscriminatorySiteSelectionConcernAdditionally,theneighborhoodhasraisedconcernsthatthecityandcountychosethislocationduetothefactthatthelocalresidentsarelargelyfromminoritypopulationsornewimmigrants.Thisisperceivedasadiscriminatoryact,targetingracialminoritytaxpayersandvoterstosacrificetheirsafetyandinterests,andmayhavelegalimplications.
Section8:AlternativeLand
Oppositetowhatwehavebeenstereotypedandmisunderstoodas“selfishhouseowners”,ourempatheticcommunitycaresalotabouthomelesspeopleandtrulywanttohelp. Wewillneversurrendertosacrificecommunitysafety,yettherearealternativeplanswewillconsider.Alternativeplansthatwillendinawin-winsituation.
Wehavesofaridentifiedseverallandsthatarenotinuseandareconvenienttojobopportunities,facilitiesandtransportation.
TheCityandCountyshouldcontinuetheirsearchforsuitablelandsifpursuinginterimhousingremainsagoal.
1. DeLaCruzBlvd&El CaminoRealThesiteisnexttoSantaClaraPoliceStation.Anexpansiontotheexistingsupportivehousingfacilitycanbebuilttoaccommodatetheunhousedpopulation.
2. SouthBayFwy&LafayetteSt.ThereareseveralunusedlandsneartheintersectionofSouthBayFwyandLafayetteSt.
3. LincolnSt &CivicCenter Dr.ThereisapieceofunusedlandnexttoSantaClaraCityHall.
4. ParkingLotsat Levi'sStadiumThereareseveralparkinglotsnearLevi’sStadium.Aninterimhousingcanbebuiltatthecornerofoneofthelots.
5. Central Expy&SanTomasExpyThereisapieceofunusedlandneartheintersectionofCentralExpyandSanTomasExpy.
Section9:BestuseforBentonland
ProximitytoschoolsmakestheBentonsiteapotentialgoodfit for “rent-to-own”affordablehousingfor teacherswhohavealivelihoodinoraroundSantaClara.
This“rent-to-own”affordablehousingcouldalsoconsiderlaw-abidingfamilies,whosemembersdonothaveanysubstanceabuseorcriminalrecords,havegoodcreditscoresandjobstoaffordrent.