2026 Q1 Legislative Action Summary
Below is a summary of the actions that were taken during 2026 Q1 in alignment with the City of Santa Clara’s 2026 Legislative Advocacy Positions (LAPs), guiding principles for legislative advocacy, approved City policies (e.g., City Council Goals and Priorities), and/or Council action.
Water Supply and Conservation LAP
• March 9, 2026 — Letter of support for Santa Clara Valley Water’s Community Project Funding request for the Pure Water Silicon Valley Demonstration Facility to Congressman Ro Khanna
Multiple Legislative Priorities
• February 19, 2026 — Letter of support for the City’s 2026 State Budget Request to Assemblymember Patrick Ahrens (Community Services, Housing, Public Safety, and Transportation Issues LAPs)
• February 27, 2026 — Letter of support for the City’s 2026 State Budget Request to State Senator Aisha Wahab (Community Services, Housing, Public Safety, and Transportation Issues LAPs)
• March 6, 2026 — Letter of support for the City’s Fiscal Year 2027 Federal Appropriations Request to Senator Alex Padilla, Senator Adam Schiff, and Congressman Ro Khanna (Public Safety and Transportation Issues LAPs)
1500 Warburton Avenue ● Santa Clara, CA 95050 ● Phone: 408-615-2200 ● Fax: 408-241-6771 ● SantaClaraCA.gov Mayor
Lisa M. Gillmor
March 9, 2026
The Honorable Ro Khanna
U.S. House of Representatives
306 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Re: Support for a Community Project Funding Request for the Pure Water Silicon Valley Demonstration Facility Construction
Dear Congressman Khanna:
On behalf of the City of Santa Clara, I am pleased to submit this letter of support for the Santa Clara Valley Water District’s (Valley Water) Fiscal Year 2027 Community Project Funding Request for construction funds for its Pure Water Silicon Valley Demonstration Facility.
Valley Water has established a long-term goal of producing up to 24,000 acre-feet of purified water per year for direct potable reuse by 2040. Developing a locally controlled, reliable, and drought resilient water supply is critical in the face of more extreme weather. Cyclical climate changes and dry conditions have placed enormous strain on existing sources, such as imported water from the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta and stored local water supplies. Santa Clara County faces additional water supply challenges driven by a growing economy. The City of Santa Clara shares a commitment to diversifying the regional water supply portfolio to move the region toward a more sustainable and resilient future.
This project, a joint effort between Valley Water and the Cities of Santa Clara and San José, is the first phase of a full-scale facility to provide purified water for direct potable reuse in Santa Clara County, the heart of Silicon Valley. Until recently, California communities could use recycled water for drinking only if that water was first filtered through a reservoir or aquifer. State regulations adopted in 2023, however, will allow suppliers to distribute recycled water without first storing it in a reservoir or aquifer. As Valley Water considers the potential for a full-scale potable reuse facility, it must first demonstrate the project’s feasibility. This funding request would help support the construction of this first-phase demonstration facility.
I urge your support for this important drought resiliency project. Thank you for your consideration of this request.
Sincerely,
Lisa M. Gillmor
Mayor
City of Santa Clara
1500 Warburton Avenue ● Santa Clara, CA 95050 ● Phone: 408-615-2200 ● Fax: 408-241-6771 ● SantaClaraCA.gov Mayor
Lisa M. Gillmor
February 19, 2026
Honorable Patrick Ahrens
California State Assembly, 26th District
1021 O Street, Suite 6110
Sacramento, CA 95814
Re: 2026 State Budget Requests from the City of Santa Clara
Dear Assemblymember Ahrens:
On behalf of the City of Santa Clara, I want to express my appreciation to you and your staff for your support and commitment. I appreciate the opportunity to work with your office to bring meaningful investments that benefit our community and the region.
As the State Legislature continues the process of shaping the state budget and evaluating where the state’s resources are best invested, I understand things are uncertain at best. If the opportunity arises for district requests to be included in the Legislature’s budget, I would like to respectfully present a list of priority funding needs for the City and request your partnership to help secure these critical dollars.
Below are the City’s priority projects for consideration, along with a brief description and dollar amount.
Recognizing the state’s fiscal situation, the City has selected projects that will have significant local and regional impacts, thereby maximizing t he return on the state’s investment. The City and our legislative advocate are happy to provide more in -depth details and discuss each of these projects further.
I look forward to our continued partnership in serving the Santa Clara community. Thank you for your consideration and ongoing collaboration.
Sincerely,
Lisa M. Gillmor
Mayor
City of Santa Clara
Title: Santa Clara Family Community – Benton Lawrence Homekey Interim Housing Amount: $800,000
Description: The County of Santa Clara, LifeMoves, and the City of Santa Clara are partnering to develop and operate a new 30 -suite interim housing complex designed specifically for unhoused families with minor children. The project will serve approximately 90 individ uals at any given time and will include on -site daycare, daily meals, and comprehensive wraparound support services. This project will serve eligible households from the City of Santa Clara as well as families referred through the County’s coordinated entry system thereby directly addressing both local and regional needs.
Purpose-built to empower families experiencing homelessness, the primary goal of th e Santa Clara Family Community project is to provide safe, stable interim housing alongside comprehensive support services to help families achieve long-term housing stability. By providing a dedicated, family-focused interim housing environment, th is project is expected to reduce the number of families living in encampments, vehicles, and/or unstable arrangements while creating a pathway to permanent housing solutions.
This funding request seeks $800,000 to support construction costs, potential cost overruns, construction acceleration expenses, and initial operating costs during the first three years of operations ($160,000 of the total requested amount) associated with the project . The requested funding will help ensure timely project delivery and operational stability during the critical start -up phase . Eligible construction costs may include site preparation, utility installation and connections, foundation and structural work, modular unit fabrication and installation, accessibility enhancements, and other infrastructure improvements. Construction acceleration costs may include expedited permitting fees, labor, and additional project management or inspection services required to advance the project schedule. Programmatic services will include on -site daycare, case management, behavioral health support, educational assistance, housing navigation, employment and benefits services, and access to a vocational nurse for residents with primary care needs.
Title: Psychiatric Emergency Response Team (PERT) Clinician Support for Vulnerable Populations Amount: $813,000
Description: In 2022, the Santa Clara Police Department (SCPD) implemented Psychiatric Emergency Response Team (PERT) to reduce crime, de-escalate interactions, and promote community wellness, particularly among vulnerable populations at heightened risk of harm, arrest, or falling through service gaps, by connecting individuals to appropriate health and housing services. The PERT model pairs specially trained Community Response Team/Crisis Intervention Specialist officers with a licensed mental health clinician from the Santa Clara County (County) Behavioral Health Services Department to deliver on -scene crisis interventi on, de -escalation, and direct linkage to behavioral health and substance use disorder treatment for individuals experiencing acute crises, including veterans and unhoused individuals.
The partnership between the County and the City has been a critical component of the City’s compassionate and service -oriented response to behavioral health emergencies. The PERT program has produced measurable outcomes, including increased connections to care, reduced repeat calls for service, improved trauma -informed engagement with vulnerable populations, enhanced officer safety, and strengthened community trust. Psychiatric hospitalizations dropped approximately 35 percent in the first year of implementation and have remained 20 to 30 percent below pre-PERT levels,
indicating stronger in field clinical assessment and greater reliance on community-based stabilization and diversion options. Additionally, the PERT program continues to help divert individuals from incarceration to appropriate treatment, housing, and recovery services and reduce unnecessary emergency room transports.
In January 2026, the County discontinued funding for the mental health clinician assigned to SCPD’s PERT. To sustain the PERT program, the City is developing a three-year Memorandum of Understanding with the County to fund one full-time clinician at an estimated annual cost of $271,000, subject to final negotiated terms. The requested funding would support this full-time clinician position for a three-year period. While full three-year funding is preferred to ensure program stability, partial funding would also contribute toward maintaining the position and preserving the City’s capacity to effectively serve individuals experiencing mental health and substance use related crises.
Title: Pruneridge Avenue Complete Streets Project
Amount: $3,000,000
Description: In 2022, the City of Santa Clara adopted the Pruneridge Avenue Complete Streets Plan to implement buffered bicycle lanes along the Pruneridge Avenue corridor. This east -west roadway is a crucial part of the County of Santa Clara's cross-county bicycle corridor network, connecting San Jose, Santa Clara, and the Apple campus in Cupertino.
The Pruneridge Complete Streets Project involves removing portions of travel lanes along Pruneridge Avenue to complete this important bicycle network and enhance intersections with pedestrian improvements. These enhancements will include quick -build curb extensions, ADA -compliant curb ramps, an d upgraded accessible pedestrian signals. This project is vital to the City, Silicon Valley region, and the state because it aims to increase pedestrian safety and accessibility, promote alternative modes of transport ation, and connect schools and employment centers to and from the region.
The intersections of Pruneridge Avenue at Woodhams Road and Redwood Avenue are near an elementary school and are frequently used by students crossing Pruneridge Avenue. These locations have been identified in the City of Santa Clara’s Pedestrian Master Pla n as needing improvements for pedestrian safety. Pruneridge Avenue is also part of the City’s High -Injury Network corridors that experienced highest number of fatal and severe injury traffic collisions in Santa Clara, as identified in the City’s Vision Zero Action Plan. Bicyclists, including students, currently use the portion of Pruneridge Avenue where no bicycle facility currently exists. Bicyclists using this corridor need to navigate between parked vehicles and vehicles traveling with a posted speed lim it of 35 mph. Students from two elementary schools located adjacent to this roadway also use this portion of Pruneridge Avenue. This project will provide a Class II buffered bikeway that connects to 14 schools with a total enrollment of 8,896 students and over 12,500 employees from job centers along the project corridor.
The total estimated cost of the project is $4,000,000. The project has secured $1,000,000 through a FY 2026 Federal Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD) appropriation through the Community Project Funding process. The City is requesting $3,000,000 in state funding to support the design and construction of this priority bicycle and pedestrian improvement project.
Title: Santa Clara City Library Youth and Community Learning Initiative Amount: $600,000
Description: The Santa Clara City Library Youth and Community Learning Initiative is a community - driven project that is rooted in the public library as a trusted hub of learning, discovery, and belonging.
This initiative integrates two complimentary components that are designed to expand equitable access to hands -on learning, STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) education, and early childhood development for Santa Clara residents. First, the project includes the acquisition of a STEAM Mobile Makerspace outreach vehicle to bring hands -on STEAM learning, creative technology, and maker -based programming directly into neighborhoods, schools, and community spaces, increasing access for residents of all ages. Second, the Learning Through Play: Early Childhood Readiness Pilot Program will promote early literacy and kindergarten readiness for children ages 0 –5 through play-based learning activities and caregiver engagement.
Together, these two components will provide innovative and accessible learning opportunities for children and families, expand access to early childhood educational resources, and help cultivate Santa Clarans’ shared potential for future generations.
STEAM Mobile Makerspace ($520,000)
Operating as both a mobile makerspace and pop -up STEAM lab, this project component will bring opportunity for creative learning experiences directly to City of Santa Clara neighborhoods, schools, community centers, parks, and senior centers.
Funding will be used to:
• ($320,000) Purchase a STEAM Mobile Makerspace to deliver hands -on, multigenerational STEAM programming citywide, including outreach to low -income and high -density neighborhoods, schools, senior centers, and community centers. • ($170,000) Purchase makerspace and digitization tools, furnishings, books/materials, and equipment that emphasizes curiosity, creativity, and skill building to support the operation and access to the STEAM Mobile Makerspace.
• ($30,000) Fund five-years of community programmatic support for supplies and presenters to sustain community outreach efforts and participation of approximately 50,000 people in Santa Clara throughout this period, across diverse communities.
Learning Through Play: Early Childhood Readiness Pilot Program ($80,000) This project component will support kindergarten readiness through play-based learning, early literacy programing, and sensory exploration for children ages 0 –5 and their caregivers. The Early Childhood Readiness Pilot Program will expand access to hands -on learning stations, story -based play, and caregiver-supported activities to approximately 8,000 children living in the City of Santa Clara. To maximize impact, the program will be implemented across all three Santa Clara City Library locations, thereby pr omoting early language development, social -emotional skills development, and school readiness while increasing equitable access to high-quality early learning experiences across the City’s diverse neighborhoods.
Funding will be used to:
• ($50,000) Purchase AWE Early Learning Stations that support school readiness and interactive literacy skill-building for young learners; expand the library’s collections of inclusive and diverse parenting and early learning books; acquire additional indoor, outdoor, and mobile sensory play materials, especially to address needs of youth on spectrum, for the library’s existing programs
such as Stay & Play and Toddler Play, and to develop Play with Stories Kits in English and Spanish.
• ($30,000) Provide Early Childhood Development training for library staff and community caregivers citywide to ensure consistent, developmentally appropriate programming and strengthen services delivery.
The Santa Clara City Library Youth and Community Learning Initiative provide s innovative learning opportunities for children and other community members, increases access to early childhood learning materials, and helps develop Santa Clara’s shared potential for future generations.
Title: Santa Clara Homelessness Prevention Pilot Program Amount: $500,000
Description: Prevention remains the most cost-effective way to address homelessness. The Santa Clara County Homelessness Prevention System (HPS) provides a wide variety of services to keep people housed, including swift one-time assistance for key items like transportation or transitions to housing. The City of Santa Clara currently contributes $50,000 annually to this regional effort and the Bill Wilson Center currently serves as the City’s designated HPS service provider. Despite these efforts, unmet needs persist as more people in Santa Clara transition into homelessness than those who exit to permanent housing.
To boost local homelessness prevention efforts, the City of Santa Clara is requesting $500,000 in State funding to implement a three -year pilot program that would expand in-person HPS services through a dedicated case manager . The Santa Clara Homelessness Prevention Pilot Program is designed to strengthen local, in -person case management services to prevent homelessness whenever possible and to support faster, smoother housing transitions when displacement cannot be avoided. The requested funding will be used to support a dedicated, full time case manager for up to three years. The program would bring in -person homelessness prevention services closer to residents in Santa Clara through 1:1 appointments, workshops, and drop-in hours at locations throughout the City. In addition to case management services, funding will be used to provide flexib le, one-time financial assistance for urgent needs such as rental deposits, transportation, or other housing -related costs. This program would focus on residents who are housed and at risk of becoming homeless with a focus on seniors over the age of 65 and other special needs individuals who require additional support navigating services and affordable housing listings.
This pilot program will leverage existing regional HPS resources and the Bill Wilson Center’s expertise while increasing local capacity. By providing timely, in-person support, the anticipated outcome of this pilot program is a measurable reduction in the inflow of residents into homelessness . If the pilot program is successful, the City will pursue additional state and regional funding opportunities, including accessing potential Homeless Housing, Assistance, and Prevention Program (HHAP) funding and exploring partnerships with neighboring cities, to sustain and expand this prevention -focused program.
1500 Warburton Avenue ● Santa Clara, CA 95050 ● Phone: 408-615-2200 ● Fax: 408-241-6771 ● SantaClaraCA.gov Mayor
Lisa M. Gillmor
February 27, 2026
Honorable Aisha Wahab
California State Senate, 10th District
1021 O Street, Suite 8530
Sacramento, CA 95814
Re: 2026 State Budget Requests from the City of Santa Clara
Dear Senator Wahab:
On behalf of the City of Santa Clara, I want to express my appreciation to you and your staff for your support and commitment. I appreciate the opportunity to work with your office to bring meaningful investments that benefit our community and the region.
As the State Legislature continues the process of shaping the state budget and evaluating where the state’s resources are best invested, I understand things are uncertain at best. If the opportunity arises for district requests to be included in the Legislature’s budget, I would like to respectfully present a list of priority funding needs for the City and request your partnership to help secure these critical dollars.
Below are the City’s priority projects for consideration, along with a brief description and dollar amount.
Recognizing the state’s fiscal situation, the City has selected projects that will have significant local and regional impacts, thereby maximizing t he return on the state’s investment. The City and our legislative advocate are happy to provide more in -depth details and discuss each of these projects further.
I look forward to our continued partnership in serving the Santa Clara community. Thank you for your consideration and ongoing collaboration.
Sincerely,
Lisa M. Gillmor
Mayor
City of Santa Clara
Title: Santa Clara Family Community – Benton Lawrence Homekey Interim Housing Amount: $800,000
Description: The County of Santa Clara, LifeMoves, and the City of Santa Clara are partnering to develop and operate a new 30 -suite interim housing complex designed specifically for unhoused families with minor children. The project will serve approximately 90 individuals at any given time and will include on -site daycare, daily meals, and comprehensive wraparoun d support services. This project will serve eligible households from the City of Santa Clara as well as families referred through the County’s coordinated entry system thereby directly addressing both local and regional needs.
Purpose-built to empower families experiencing homelessness , the primary goal of th e Santa Clara Family Community project is to provide safe, stable interim housing alongside comprehensive support services to help families achieve long -term housing stability. By providing a dedicated, family-focused interim housing environment, th is project is expected to reduce the number of families living in encampments, vehicles, and/or unstable arrangements while creating a pathway to permanent housing solutions.
This funding request seeks $800,000 to support construction costs, potential construction cost increases, construction acceleration expenses, and initial operating costs during the first three years of operations ($160,000 of the total requested amount) associated with the project . The requested funding will help ensure timely project delivery and operational stability during the critical start -up phase. Eligible construction costs may include site preparation, utility installation and connections, foundation and structural work, modular unit fabrication and installation, accessibility enhancements, and other infrastructure improvements. Construction acceleration costs may include expedited permitting fees, labor, and additional project management or inspection services required to advance the project schedule. Programmatic s ervices will include on -site daycare , case management, behavioral health support, educational assistance, housing navigation, employment and benefits services, and access to a vocational nurse for residents with primary care needs.
Title: Psychiatric Emergency Response Team (PERT) Clinician Support for Vulnerable Populations Amount: $813,000
Description: In 2022, the Santa Clara Police Department (SCPD) implemented Psychiatric Emergency Response Team (PERT) to reduce crime, de -escalate interactions, and promote community wellness, particularly among vulnerable populations at heightened risk of harm, arrest, or falling through service gaps, by connecting individuals to appropriate health and housing services. The PERT model pairs specially trained Community Response Team/Crisis Intervention Specialist officers with a licensed mental health clinician from the Santa Clara County (County) Behavioral Health Services Department to deliver on -scene crisis interventi on, de -escalation, and direct linkage to behavioral health and substance use disorder treatment for individuals experiencing acute crises, including veterans and unhoused individuals.
The partnership between the County and the City has been a critical component of the City’s compassionate and service -oriented response to behavioral health emergencies. The PERT program has produced measurable outcomes, including increased connections to care, reduced repeat calls for service, improved trauma -informed engagement with vulnerable populations, enhanced officer safety, and strengthened community trust. Psychiatric hospitalizations dropped approximately 35 percent in the first year of implementation and have remained 20 to 30 percent below pre -PERT levels,
indicating stronger in field clinical assessment and greater reliance on community -based stabilization and diversion options. Additionally, the PERT program continues to help divert individuals from incarceration to appropriate treatment, housing, and recovery services and reduce unnecessary emergency room transports.
In January 2026, the County discontinued funding for the mental health clinician assigned to SCPD’s PERT. To sustain the PERT program, the City is developing a three-year Memorandum of Understanding with the County to fund one full-time clinician at an estimated annual cost of $271,000, subject to final negotiated terms. The requested funding would support this full-time clinician position for a three-year period. While full three-year funding is preferred to ensure program stability, partial funding would also contribute toward maintaining the position and preserving the City’s capacity to effectively serve individuals experiencing mental health and substance use related crises.
Title: Pruneridge Avenue Complete Streets Project
Amount: $3,000,000
Description: In 2022, the City of Santa Clara adopted the Pruneridge Avenue Complete Streets Plan to implement buffered bicycle lanes along the Pruneridge Avenue corridor. This east -west roadway is a crucial part of the County of Santa Clara's cross-county bicycle corridor network, connecting San Jose, Santa Clara, and the Apple campus in Cupertino.
The Pruneridge Complete Streets Project involves removing portions of travel lanes along Pruneridge Avenue to complete this important bicycle network and enhance intersections with pedestrian improvements. These enhancements will include quick -build curb extensions, ADA -compliant curb ramps, an d upgraded accessible pedestrian signals. This project is vital to the City, Silicon Valley region, and the state because it aims to increase pedestrian safety and accessibility, promote alternative modes of transport ation, and connect schools and employment centers to and from the region.
The intersections of Pruneridge Avenue at Woodhams Road and Redwood Avenue are near an elementary school and are frequently used by students crossing Pruneridge Avenue. These locations have been identified in the City of Santa Clara’s Pedestrian Master Pla n as needing improvements for pedestrian safety. Pruneridge Avenue is also part of the City’s High -Injury Network corridors that experienced highest number of fatal and severe injury traffic collisions in Santa Clara, as identified in the City’s Vision Zero Action Plan. Bicyclists, including students, currently use the portion of Pruneridge Avenue where no bicycle facility currently exists. Bicyclists using this corridor need to navigate between parked vehicles and vehicles traveling with a posted speed lim it of 35 mph. Students from two elementary schools located adjacent to this roadway also use this portion of Pruneridge Avenue. This project will provide a Class II buffered bikeway that connects to 14 schools with a total enrollment of 8,896 students and over 12,500 employees from job centers along the project corridor.
The total estimated cost of the project is $4,000,000. The project has secured $1,000,000 through a FY 2026 Federal Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD) appropriation through the Community Project Funding process. The City is requesting $3, 000,000 in state funding to support the design and construction of this priority bicycle and pedestrian improvement project.
Title: Santa Clara City Library Youth and Community Learning Initiative Amount: $600,000
Description: The Santa Clara City Library Youth and Community Learning Initiative is a community - driven project that is rooted in the public library as a trusted hub of learning, discovery, and belonging .
This initiative integrates two complimentary components that are designed to expand equitable access to hands -on learning, STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) education, and early childhood development for Santa Clara residents. First, the project includes the acquisition of a STEAM Mobile Makerspace outreach vehicle to bring hands -on STEAM learning, creative technology, and maker -based programming directly into neighborhoods, schools, and community spaces, increasing access for residents of all ages. Second, the Learning Through Play: Early Childhood Readiness Pilot Program will promote early literacy and kindergarten readines s for children ages 0 –5 through play-based learning activities and caregiver engagement.
Together, these two components will provide innovative and accessible learning opportunities for children and families, expand access to early childhood educational resources, and help cultivate Santa Clarans’ shared potential for future generations.
STEAM Mobile Makerspace ($520,000)
Operating as both a mobile makerspace and pop -up STEAM lab, this project component will bring opportunity for creative learning experiences directly to City of Santa Clara neighborhoods, schools, community centers, parks, and senior centers.
Funding will be used to:
• ($320,000) Purchase a STEAM Mobile Makerspace to deliver hands -on, multigenerational STEAM programming citywide, including outreach to low -income and high -density neighborhoods, schools, senior centers, and community centers. • ($170,000) Purchase makerspace and digitization tools, furnishings, books/materials, and equipment that emphasizes curiosity, creativity, and skill building to support the operation and access to the STEAM Mobile Makerspace.
• ($30,000) Fund five -years of community programmatic support for supplies and presenters to sustain community outreach efforts and participation of approximately 50,000 people in Santa Clara throughout this period, across diverse communities.
Learning Through Play: Early Childhood Readiness Pilot Program ($80,000) This project component will support kindergarten readiness through play-based learning, early literacy programing, and sensory exploration for children ages 0 –5 and their caregivers. The Early Childhood Readiness Pilot Program will expand access to hands -on learning stations, story -based play, and caregiver-supported activities to approximately 8,000 children living in the City of Santa Clara. To maximize impact, the program will be implemented across all three Santa Clara City Library locations, thereby pr omoting early language development, social -emotional skills development, and school readiness while increasing equitable access to high-quality early learning experiences across the City’s diverse neighborhoods.
Funding will be used to:
• ($50,000) Purchase AWE Early Learning Stations that support school readiness and interactive literacy skill-building for young learners; expand the library’s collections of inclusive and diverse parenting and early learning books; acquire additional indoor, outdoor, and mobile sensory play materials, especially to address needs of youth on spectrum, for the library’s existing programs
such as Stay & Play and Toddler Play, and to develop Play with Stories Kits in English and Spanish.
• ($30,000) Provide Early Childhood Development training for library staff and community caregivers citywide to ensure consistent, developmentally appropriate programming and strengthen services delivery.
The Santa Clara City Library Youth and Community Learning Initiative provide s innovative learning opportunities for children and other community members, increases access to early childhood learning materials, and helps develop Santa Clara’s shared potential for future generations.
Title: Santa Clara Homelessness Prevention Pilot Program Amount: $500,000
Description: Prevention remains the most cost-effective way to address homelessness. The Santa Clara County Homelessness Prevention System (HPS) provides a wide variety of services to keep people housed, including swift one-time assistance for key items like transportation or transitions to housing. The City of Santa Clara currently contributes $50,000 annually to this regional effort and the Bill Wilson Center currently serves as the City’s designated HPS service provider. Despite these efforts, unmet needs persist as more people in Santa Clara transition into homelessness than those who exit to permanent housing.
To boost local homelessness prevention efforts, the City of Santa Clara is requesting $500,000 in State funding to implement a three -year pilot program that would expand in -person HPS services through a dedicated case manager . The Santa Clara Homelessness Prevention Pilot Program is designed to strengthen local, in -person case management services to prevent homelessness whenever possible and to support faster, smoother housing transitions when displacement cannot be avoided. The requested funding will be used to support a dedicated, full time case manager for up to three years. The program would bring in -person homelessness prevention services closer to residents in Santa Clara through 1:1 appointments, workshops, and drop-in hours at locations throughout the City. In addition to case management services, funding will be used to provide flexib le, one-time financial assistance for urgent needs such as rental deposits, transportation, or other housing -related costs. This program would focus on residents who are housed and at risk of becoming homeless with a focus on seniors over the age of 65 and other special needs individuals who require additional support navigating services and affordable housing listings.
This pilot program will leverage existing regional HPS resources and the Bill Wilson Center’s expertise while increasing local capacity. By providing timely, in-person support, the anticipated outcome of this pilot program is a measurable reduction in the inflow of residents into homelessness . If the pilot program is successful, the City will pursue additional state and regional funding opportunities, including accessing potential Homeless Housing, Assistance, and Prevention Program (HHAP) funding and exploring partnerships with neighboring cities, to sustain and expand this prevention -focused program.
1500 Warburton Avenue ● Santa Clara, CA 95050 ● Phone: 408-615-2200 ● Fax: 408-241-6771 ● SantaClaraCA.gov Mayor
Lisa M. Gillmor
March 6, 2026
The Honorable Alex Padilla The Honorable Adam Schiff United States Senate United States Senate
331 Hart Senate Office Building 112 Hart Senate Office Building Washington, DC 20510 Washington, DC 20510
The Honorable Ro Khanna
House of Representatives, 17
th District
306 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Re: Support for the City of Santa Clara’s Fiscal Year 2027 Federal Appropriations Request
Dear Senator Padilla, Senator Schiff, and Congressman Khanna:
On behalf of the City of Santa Clara, I respectfully seek your support for the City’s FY 2027 Community Project Funding/Congressionally Directed Spending requests. The funding requested will help the City deliver critical projects to our community, thereby benefiting residents, businesses, and visitors alike.
The City of Santa Clara is requesting funding for the projects below that will facilitate the development of regional community assets, increase regional transportation opportunities, and create safer streets for bicyclists and pedestrians in the community.
• Santa Clara Vision Zero Safety Corridor Improvements Project ($2,200,000) This project will design and construct engineering safety countermeasures along the City of Santa Clara’s identified High- Injury Network (HIN). The HIN identifies the roadways and intersections that experienced highest number of fatal and severe injury col lisions. This initiative is a core component of the City's Vision Zero Action Plan, a multidisciplinary strategy designed to eliminate all traffic fatalities and severe injuries in Santa Clara while promoting safe and sustainable mobility. The primary objective of this funding request is to fund the design and construction of engineering improvements including but not limited to signal modifications, curb extensions, intersection treatments, ADA curb ramps, and pedestrian signals, on HIN roadways and intersections to improve pedestrian and bicyclist safety and help achieve the City’s ultimate goal of ending traffic traffic -related fatalities and severe injuries on city roadways by 2050.
• Walsh and Martin Avenues Bikeway Improvements Project ($2,000,000) The City of Santa Clara approved the Walsh/Martin Avenue Bikeway Planning Study in 2024 to implement Class IV separated bikeway facilities on Walsh Avenue and on Martin Avenue.
Currently these two roadways lack bicycle facilities and cyclists must navigate next to high- speed vehicles and trucks and are exposed to high risks. The new Class IV bikeway will physically separate cyclists from vehicle traffic and increase bicycle ridership due to greater perceived safety and comfort. The project will remove on-street parking along both corridors to complete this important cross-county bicycle network. When complete, the project closes
the existing bicycle network gap and connects to job centers such as NVIDIA, V alley Transportation Authority (VTA) frequent transit line 57, Altamont Corridor Express shuttle, the Lawrence Caltrain Station, and San Tomas Aquino Creek Trail. The requested funding will support the City’s design and construction of this priority bicycle and pedestrian improvement project in Santa Clara.
• Santa Clara Pedestrian Safety and Access Improvements Project ($3,000,000) This project focuses on the design and construction of high- priority infrastructure improvements identified through data analysis and community outreach in the City’s Pedestrian Master Plan and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Self -Evaluation and Transition Plan. Improvements are strategically targeted within nine Priority Pedestrian Zones across the city. The project will prioritize the installation of ADA curb ramps, Accessible Pedestrian Signals, sidewalk, curb extensions, high-visibility crosswalks, and enhancements at uncontrolled crosswalks. The project will create a comprehensive network of safe, convenient, and comfortable pedestrian routes for people of all ages and abilities.
These projects are critical for Santa Clara and are consistent with the federal objectives for Community Project Funding and Congressionally Directed Spending. Furthermore, these projects address immediate needs within Santa Clara and will benefit the community for years to come.
Thank you for your consideration. I appreciate your continued partnership and leadership in securing federal resources that benefit Santa Clara and the greater region.
Sincerely,
Lisa M. Gillmor
Mayor
City of Santa Clara