City of Sunnyvale
Excerpt 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, September 23, 2026
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Riviere called the meeting to order at 7 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Chair Leesa Riviere
Vice Chair Rao Shen
Commissioner Elaina Babayan
Commissioner Scott Duncan
Commissioner Nila Rajkumar
Present: 5 -
Commissioner Kamille LangAbsent: 1 -
Commissioner Lang's absence is excused.
Council Liaison Le (absent)
Council Liaison Chang (present)
PUBLIC HEARINGS/GENERAL BUSINESS
3 26-0579 Recommend to City Council: Adopt the Sunnyvale Homelessness Response Plan as the City’s Five-Year
Framework for Addressing Homelessness and Its Impacts on the Community, and Receive an Update on Community
Outreach Efforts
Housing Officer, Amanda Sztoltz, presented the updated draft Sunnyvale Homelessness Response Plan, formerly referred to as the Strategic Plan to Address Homelessness. Staff reviewed the plan's development, including City Council direction, community engagement throughout the planning process, the updated plan framework, and estimated costs.
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The plan framework establishes three focus areas addressing homelessness prevention, shelter and housing, and community engagement. Proposed strategies include expanding supportive housing, maximizing the Tenant Based Rental Assistance Program, continuing the inclement weather program, developing interim housing, establishing a 24/7 safe parking site, supporting safe parking at local congregations, exploring the addition of behavioral health services to city programs, and establishing an RV permit parking program.
Staff also discussed proposed performance measures and funding considerations, noting that the plan is intended to provide a high-level framework, while more detailed program-level performance measures will be established through individual contracts and grant agreements.
Commissioners discussed:
- Establishing clear baseline data for percentage-based goals and measures. -
Providing additional detail regarding existing funding sources and uses. - Identifying how City funding would be prioritized if federal, State, or County funding is reduced.
- Developing more consistent performance measures across homelessness programs.
- Measuring progress toward housing, including housing exits and housing retention where data is available.
- Exploring the cost of different interventions relative to housing outcomes. - Developing a public dashboard or other method of providing more frequent information on progress.
- Strengthening homelessness prevention efforts.
- Expanding services addressing vehicle-based homelessness. - Measuring services provided to Sunnyvale residents separately from services provided to residents from outside Sunnyvale.
- Continuing collaboration with neighboring jurisdictions and the County.
Staff explained that the County is coordinating subregional planning efforts with the North County cities and each of the other subregions in the area, and that the City continues to collaborate with neighboring jurisdictions, including Mountain View, on homelessness response strategies and safe parking.
Chair Riviere opened the public hearing at 8:03 p.m.
Natalie Silvanovich, speaking on behalf of Charles Street Garden, raised concerns
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regarding individuals living in vehicles and tents near the community garden and requested consideration of alternative locations and solutions that would address safety and sanitation concerns.
Jim Davis raised concerns regarding the City's proposed homelessness response, funding levels, community impacts, and the timeline for implementing proposed programs. He encouraged additional consideration of programs used by neighboring jurisdictions.
Mae DeVal raised concerns regarding trash and sanitation near Charles Street Garden.
Agnes Veith, speaking on her own behalf and as a member of Livable Sunnyvale, supported additional transparency and clearer metrics, including baseline data, funding information, and planning for potential reductions in outside funding.
Mike Serrone, speaking on his own behalf, expressed support for the plan while encouraging immediate action to address existing homelessness and consideration of partnerships with neighboring jurisdictions' safe parking programs.
Chuck Fraleigh supported the plan and requested additional clarity regarding long-term TBRA funding, homelessness prevention, and performance measures for street outreach.
Himanshu Sethi, supporter of Helping Hands Silicon Valley, emphasized the importance of stabilization services, including transportation, hygiene, food access, document recovery, case management, and other services that help individuals transition toward housing. They also encouraged stronger performance measures and coordination with community-based organizations.
Rose Gregorio, shared concerns regarding the experiences of people experiencing homelessness in Sunnyvale and emphasized the need for timely services, particularly for older adults and other vulnerable residents.
Marie Bernard, Executive Director of Sunnyvale Community Services, supported the plan and emphasized homelessness prevention, early intervention, stabilization, regional collaboration, and the importance of leveraging outside funding.
Caspian “Andy” Hongyang, a Sunnyvale resident and student, encouraged
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opportunities for youth participation, community engagement, research, and volunteer activities related to homelessness.
Erika Laguna, Director of Programs for Sunnyvale Community Services, supported the plan and encouraged a stronger emphasis on prevention, coordination between programs, measurable housing outcomes, and early establishment of a Lived Experience Advisory Committee.
Henry S. encouraged the City to establish a common outcome framework across programs that distinguishes service connections, temporary placements, permanent housing exits, continued homelessness, and housing retention.
Chair Riviere closed the public hearing at 8:50 p.m.
Commissioners discussed the proposed recommendations and amendments.
Commissioner Babayan proposed modifications including establishing baseline data for percentage-based measures, adding additional funding information, clarifying funding priorities in the event of budget reductions, strengthening housing-related outcome measures, exploring standardized metrics across prevention, stabilization, and housing programs, and investigating more frequent public reporting or a dashboard.
Commissioner Duncan proposed additional modifications to increase the overall five-year homelessness reduction goal beyond 25 percent, strengthen homelessness prevention efforts, and establish a more aggressive timeline and capacity for vehicle-based homelessness services.
Additional discussion included measuring Sunnyvale residents served separately from individuals from outside Sunnyvale and tracking funding sources supporting programs.
MOTION: Commissioner Duncan moved and Vice Chair Shen seconded the motion to approve Alternative 2: Approve the draft Homelessness Response Plan with modifications and find that these actions are exempt from CEQA pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15262.
The modifications are stated below:
- Establish a baseline date for percentage-based measures -
Explore standardized metrics across prevention, stabilization, and housing
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- Explore opportunities for more frequent reporting including the potential development of a public dashboard to track progress
-
Clarify if the City will supplement County funding if cuts to homeless prevention - Include additional metrics: such as program engagement, moves into housing, duration of housing, housing retention,
- Create a Dashboard
FRIENDLY AMENDMENT: Commissioner Duncan proposed a friendly amendment to increase the overall goal of 25% reduction in homelessness in the Homelessneess Response Plan. Additionally, prioritizing homelessness prevention and an accelerated timeline for vehicle-based solutions.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Yes: Chair Riviere
Vice Chair Shen
Commissioner Babayan
Commissioner Duncan
Commissioner Rajkumar
5 -
No: 0
Absent: Commissioner Lang1 -
ADJOURNMENT
Chair Riviere adjourned the meeting at 9:04 p.m.
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