City of Sunnyvale
Agenda Item
23-0323 Agenda Date: 2/16/2023
2023 COUNCIL STUDY ISSUE
NUMBER
CDD 23-05
TITLE
Evaluate Existing and Potential Emergency Housing and Shelter Opportunities for Families with Minor Children Experiencing Homelessness
BACKGROUND
Lead Department: Community Development
Support Departments: Office of the City Manager
Office of the City Attorney
Library and Recreation Services
Sponsor(s): Councilmembers: Cisneros, Mehlinger, Sell, Klein, and Din.
History: 1 year ago: N/A
2 years ago: N/A
SCOPE OF THE STUDY
What precipitated this Study?
At the January 24, 2022 City Council meeting, several members of the public brought forward concerns about unhoused residents and the lack of privacy for families at the existing Sunnyvale Shelter. While the Sunnyvale Shelter currently provides temporary shelter beds for all (e.g., families, individuals, disabled, etc.), there are no separate sections for families to reside together with privacy from other individuals staying at the Shelter. As a result, additional or expanded emergency housing and shelter opportunities for families with minor children experiencing homelessness may be needed to provide safe, private lodging for families year-round. However, it is important to note that unhoused families currently receive priority for certain housing subsidies and typically find permanent or temporary housing sooner than an individual who is homeless.
What are the key elements of the Study?
The Study will examine the existing Sunnyvale Shelter capacity for families, existing privacy resources for families (such as private groupings, privacy partitions, etc.) and determine if additional or expanded emergency housing and shelter options are needed to meet the needs of unhoused families with children in Sunnyvale. This Study would review best practices for housing families with minor children, discuss lessons learned and success stories of neighboring shelters and emergency housing operations in the region, and work with local case management teams to survey unhoused families on needs for privacy and safety in congregate shelters. If existing resources for families are inadequate, the Study should consider future needs, both capital and budgetary, within the City to meet the safety and privacy needs of unhoused families in Sunnyvale.
Estimated years to complete study: 1 year
Attachment 4
23-0323 Agenda Date: 2/16/2023
FISCAL IMPACT
Cost to Conduct Study
Level of staff effort required (opportunity cost): Moderate Funding Required for Non-Budgeted Costs: $0
Funding Source: N/A
This Study can be completed in house once appropriate staffing is added for homeless services.
Once staffing is available, City staff can work with local non-profit providers such as Sunnyvale Community Services, HomeFirst, and other Bay Area homeless service providers to identify the needed study items. The Study does not anticipate needing a consultant to complete work.
Cost to Implement Study Results
Unknown. The Study would include an assessment of potential costs, including capital and operating, as well as revenue/savings.
EXPECTED CITY COUNCIL, BOARD OR COMMISSION PARTICIPATION Council-Approved Work Plan: No
Council Study Session: Yes
Reviewed by Boards/Commissions: Housing and Human Services Commission
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Support. This policy issue merits discussion at the Study Issues Workshop.
The Council is currently considering a Study Issue to hire a full-time position to focus on homeless services within the Community Development Department. With the City’s ongoing need to manage services for the unhoused, staff indicated at the 2023 Council Strategic Workshop that it would return to Council in the near term with a new homeless services manager position. This study would only proceed if the new position is filled.
Prepared by: Jenny Carloni, Housing Officer
Reviewed by: Trudi Ryan, Director, Community Development Reviewed by: Teri Silva, Assistant City Manager
Approved by: Kent Steffens, City Manager
Attachment 4