Update and Direction on Safe Parking
Program
Amanda Sztoltz, Housing Officer
City Council
Public Hearing, April 21, 2026
2City of Sunnyvale – Update and Direction on Safe Parking – April 21, 2026 Agenda
Agenda Item #1 – Background
Agenda Item #2 – Safe Parking Efforts to Date
Agenda Item #3 – Alternative Recommended Programs
Agenda Item #4 – Staff Recommendation
3City of Sunnyvale – Update and Direction on Safe Parking – April 21, 2026 Policy Direction and Council Actions to Address Vehicular Homelessness Background
2020 • Housing Strategy: Safe Parking as a priority action 2022
• Council Strategic Priority: “Supporting the Unhoused Community” • Street Outreach services authorized
2023 • Housing Element (2023 – 2031) includes Safe Parking 2024
• Safe Parking Ordinance adopted
• Safe Parking Capital Grant Pilot, potential site and funding exploration 4City of Sunnyvale – Update and Direction on Safe Parking – April 21, 2026 Agenda
Agenda Item #2 – Safe Parking Efforts Since November 2024 Agenda Item #1 – Background
Agenda Item #3 – Alternative Recommended Programs
Agenda Item #4 – Staff Recommendation
5City of Sunnyvale – Update and Direction on Safe Parking – April 21, 2026 Summary of Actions to Advance Safe Parking in Sunnyvale City Efforts Since November 2024
Public Land
Exploration
Safe Parking
Permitting Program Safe Parking RFI
Safe Parking Capital
Grants Program
Outreach to Faith
Based Organizations
Engagement with Local
Jurisdiction Leads
6City of Sunnyvale – Update and Direction on Safe Parking – April 21, 2026 City Efforts to Date
Location Estimated Number of RV’s/Cars Infrastructure Available Civic Center Campus No RVs/20 – 25 Cars No
1240 Fair Oaks Way 12 – 15 RVs/30 –35 Cars No
City – Owned Sites
7City of Sunnyvale – Update and Direction on Safe Parking – April 21, 2026 Findings and Recommended Direction
Safe Parking Recommendation
Do NOT recommend
Safe Parking
Limited
suitable sites
Lack of
scalability
No viable
external
funding
Other options
available
8City of Sunnyvale – Update and Direction on Safe Parking – April 21, 2026 Agenda
Agenda Item #3 – Alternative Recommended Programs
Agenda Item #1 – Background
Agenda Item #2 – Safe Parking Efforts to Date
Agenda Item #4 – Staff Recommendation
9City of Sunnyvale – Update and Direction on Safe Parking – April 21, 2026 Interim Housing ("Tiny Homes")
Recommended Programs (1 of 3)
Costs:
Capital: TBD pending analysis, ~$1.65M
annually for a 40-unit site (~40 people)
Funding:
Capital & Operating: Multiple Potential
Sources incl Service Level Set Aside
Outcomes:
~46 – 48% exit to permanent housing
(above 30% shelter rates);
strong long-term stability + improved
well-being
Timeline: ~2 – 4 years
Potential
Location
Estimated
Number of Units
1240 Fair Oaks Way 30 - 40
10City of Sunnyvale – Update and Direction on Safe Parking – April 21, 2026 RV Buyback Pilot Program Paired with Housing Assistance Recommended Programs (2 of 3)
Costs: ~ 350K total ($210k for incentives)
Funding: Potential ERF; likely requires
some ongoing City contribution.
Outcomes: Reduces number of oversized
vehicles, improves public conditions,
supports transition to housing
Timeline: 1-2 years, pending funding
11City of Sunnyvale – Update and Direction on Safe Parking – April 21, 2026 Designating Certain Streets for Permitted RV Parking
Recommended Programs (3 of 3)
Costs: ~ $1M startup; ~500K annually
(subject to refinement)
Funding: Likely requires City funding
Outcomes:
• Improves oversight and service
coordination
• Reduces RV encampments and impacts
Timeline: ~1 – 2 years
12City of Sunnyvale – Update and Direction on Safe Parking – April 21, 2026 To assist those who are currently residing in an RV , besides safe parking, which of the following programs would you support? Strategic Plan Community Outreach Survey Results
Community Unhoused Service Providers
Total Responses 150 63 8
Question Specific Responses 109 14 7
% of
Respondents who support
Interim Housing
40.0% 28.6% 42.9%
• RV Buyback Program
• Interim Housing
• Long Term Rental Unit
• Permanent Supportive Housing
• Other
Persons Experiencing Homelessness
Survey Results*
*Other: "Yes", "Motel", "N/A", "N/A", "Not many want to leave their RVs. Has noticed that many individuals are moving towards getting an RV and parking it" 13City of Sunnyvale – Update and Direction on Safe Parking – April 21, 2026 Capital and Operating
Potential Funding
Capital Funding:
Housing Mitigation Funds
Community Benefit Funds
ERF Funds
Ongoing Funding:
Permanent Local Housing Allocation Funds
Service Level Set Aside Funding (approx. $1.2M)
**staff recommends holding this for services for the unhoused** CDBG Funding (currently fully allocated, requires Action Plan update) General Fund – limited capacity without impacting other services 14City of Sunnyvale – Update and Direction on Safe Parking – April 21, 2026 Agenda Slide
Agenda Item #4 – Staff Recommendation
Agenda Item #1 – Background
Agenda Item #3 – Alternative Recommended Programs
Agenda Item #2 – Safe Parking Efforts to Date
15City of Sunnyvale – Update and Direction on Safe Parking – April 21, 2026 Staff Recommendation
Recommendation
Alternative 1: Direct staff to develop an interim housing site on City- owned land, an RV buyback program, and a permitted RV parking program on designated City streets to address vehicular homelessness and return to Council with implementation details and funding recommendations for approval.
Staff will review other projects’ schedules for potential adjustments, with the intent of returning to Council in September 2026