REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Proclamation of May 2026 as Affordable Housing Month
Report
BACKGROUND
Housing affordability continues to be a top concern in Santa Clara and throughout the region. As of March 2026, the median sale price for a single-family home in the city of Santa Clara was $2,035,000 and over 35% of renters in Santa Clara pay more than 30% of their income on housing. In addition, over 461 people were counted in the City as being unsheltered in 2023. Over the next six years, the City’s regional housing goal is to facilitate the construction of over 2,872 new extremely low and very low-income housing units by 2031.
Affordable housing and supportive services continue to be a top priority in Santa Clara as they help ensure an outstanding quality of life locally. In recent years, Santa Clara has contributed greatly to increasing housing at all income levels. The City has paved the way for a large amount of development through the completion of several specific plans. The City has also been successful at leveraging local and state funding to build 100% affordable housing.
The City’s current pipeline includes over 200 units of 100% affordable housing and potential for an additional 459 low- and moderate-income rental units from projects that are subject to the City’s Affordable Housing Ordinance.
While the City has done a lot to boost affordable housing production, more is needed. To make meaningful progress, the City will need new sources of funding, new partnerships, and community support for new affordable housing.
Each year communities around the country organize events in recognition of Affordable Housing Month. The purpose of these events is to invite a wide range of stakeholders to discuss housing related needs and solutions. Participants often include neighbors, advocates, renters, homeowners, landlords, people experiencing homelessness, housing developers, lenders, service providers, government agencies, and others.
The intention of Affordable Housing month is to raise awareness about housing related issues and solutions and to build support for continued efforts and resources. These events provide information about best practices and generate support to produce affordable housing, the preservation of affordable housing, and for the protection of residents from housing discrimination and displacement.
DISCUSSION
In Santa Clara County, the nonprofit SV@Home works with a broad coalition of partners to advocate for solutions that address Santa Clara County’s urgent need for housing. SV@Home has partnered with a wide range of organizations and individuals to organize educational events throughout the month of May. These events encourage the sharing of best practices, opportunities, and solutions to provide affordable housing for all. This year’s events include the following topics:
• Site tours of affordable housing developments
• Affordable housing resources fair
• Fair Housing policy discussion
• Rent Stabilization Community Engagement meeting
• Tree planting
• Affordable Housing Finance 101 workshop
• Housing Developer Roundtable
• Housing for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities
• Housing for farm workers
• Homelessness response
• Community based performing arts, and more
For a complete listing of 2026 Affordable Housing Month events in the Santa Clara County area, please visit https://ahm2026-svathome.netlify.app/
The City wishes to proclaim the month of May as Affordable Housing Month and to recognize SV@Home for its important role of calling attention to the region’s housing and community development challenges and highlighting effective solutions.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The action being considered does not constitute a “project” within the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15378(a) as it has no potential for resulting in either a direct physical change in the environment, or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact other than staff time.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made by posting the Council agenda on the City’s official-notice bulletin board outside City Hall Council Chambers. A complete agenda packet is available on the City’s website and in the City Clerk’s Office at least 72 hours prior to a Regular Meeting and 24 hours prior to a Special Meeting. A hard copy of any agenda report may be requested by contacting the City Clerk’s Office at (408) 615-2220, email clerk@santaclaraca.gov or at the public information desk at any City of Santa Clara public library.
Staff
Reviewed by: Aimee Escobar, Management Analyst, City Manager’s Office
Approved by: Jovan D. Grogan, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
1. Proclamation of May 2026 as Affordable Housing Month