City of Sunnyvale
Meeting Minutes - Draft
Housing and Human Services
Commission
7:00 PM Online and Redwood Conference Room
140, City Hall, 456 W. Olive Ave.,
Sunnyvale, CA 94086
Wednesday, February 25, 2026
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Friedlander called the meeting to order at 7:06 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Chair Morgan Friedlander
Vice Chair Leesa Riviere
Commissioner Scott Duncan
Commissioner Rao Shen
Commissioner Carol Weiss
Present: 5 -
Commissioner Jim DavisAbsent: 1 -
Commissioner Davis' absence is unexcused.
Council Liaison Klein (present)
PUBLIC HEARINGS/GENERAL BUSINESS
2 26-0084 Consider Approval of First Substantial Amendment to the 2025/26 Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Action Plan to Terminate WorkFirst Sunnyvale Project
Housing Programs Analyst, Matt Hazel, presented the staff report and oral presentation.
The City receives annual funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME programs to support community development and housing programs.
The FY 2025-26 HUD Annual Action Plan included funding for the Work First Sunnyvale program, operated by Downtown Streets Team, which provided job
Attachment 4
February 25, 2026Housing and Human Services
Commission
Meeting Minutes - Draft
readiness training and employment support for individuals experiencing homelessness. The program ended on October 31, 2025 after Downtown Streets Team ceased operations.
Because the program ended early, a substantial amendment to the Action Plan is required. Proposed amendments include:
- Updating the project end date from June 30, 2026 to November 24, 2025 - Revising program outcomes to reflect the shortened timeline - Updating the budget to decommit approximately $341,000 in unspent funds from the original $513,000 allocation
During the program’s operation, 7 unhoused residents obtained employment and 20 participants received job training
. The remaining funds will remain uncommitted for the remainder of FY 2025-26 and may be available for programs in FY 2026-27.
Staff recommended approval of the draft substantial amendment.
Commissioners asked staff questions regards:
- Whether the program outcomes were affected by the shortened time-frame - The reason Downtown Streets Team ceased operations
- Whether remaining funs could be allocated during the current fiscal year - Whether program participants were connected with other services - Whether other cities were experiencing similar impacts from the program closure Housing Program Analyst, Matt Hazel, explained that the program was on track to meet its goals but ended early due to the closure of Downtown Streets Team. Due to timing and HUD requirements, reallocation the remaining funds during the current fiscal year was not feasible. Staff also noted that partner organizations worked to ensure clients continued received support where possible.
Chair Friedlander opened the public hearing at 7:24 p.m.
Marie Bernard, Sunnyvale Community Services, spoke about the long-standing partnership between Sunnyvale Community Services and Downtown Streets Team through the Work First Sunnyvale program.
Attachment 4
February 25, 2026Housing and Human Services
Commission
Meeting Minutes - Draft
She highlighted the program’s success in providing employment training and support for individuals experiencing homelessness and expressed appreciation for the City’s partnership over the program’s 13-year history. She also noted that Sunnyvale Community Services worked to assist program participants following the program’s closure.
Chair Friedlander closed the public hearing at 7:28 p.m.
MOTION: Commissioner Duncan moved and Commissioner Weiss seconded the motion to approve Alternative 1: Approve the draft First Substantial Amendment to the FY 2025/26 Action Plan as shown in Attachment 3 of the staff report.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Yes: Chair Friedlander
Vice Chair Riviere
Commissioner Duncan
Commissioner Shen
Commissioner Weiss
5 -
No: 0
Absent: Commissioner Davis1 -
Attachment 4