REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Action on the Agreement for the Funding and Operation of the Santa Clara Family Community Interim Housing Project Between the City and County for the City to Provide Limited Funding for the Operation of a 30-unit Homekey Interim Housing Development on Santa Clara County-Owned Land Located at the Southeast Corner of Lawrence Expressway and Benton Street
Report
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Consistent with City of Santa Clara (City) adopted plans to end homelessness the City and County of Santa Clara (County) have been exploring potential development of a project on County owned land at Benton and Lawrence. The City endorsed the 2020-2025 Community Plan to End Homelessness in the County and approved resolutions finding that the problem of homelessness in the County is a crisis. On May 7, 2024 the City Council adopted the sixth cycle Housing Element which included the following commitment under Action 1. Provision of a Variety of Housing Types specifies:
"By 2030, increase access to interim housing units, rapid rehousing, and emergency shelter beds by 30% from 453 in 2023 to 589, with a discrete objective to create broad based support for interim housing."
The Santa Clara Family Community Interim Housing Project was presented to the City Council in April 25 and May 2, 2023 and consistent with the City Council direction, the City supported the County's application for Homekey funding. The State of California awarded $25.7 million in Homekey Round 3 funds on June 30, 2025, to construct and operate the Santa Clara Family Community, a key milestone in the City's efforts to expand housing and supportive services for unhoused community members. With State funding in place, the City and County have negotiated an agreement to memorialize certain conditions of the City's funding following direction from the City Council.
The proposed project is comprised of 30 housing units along with support services and amenities for unhoused families with minor chi...
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