REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Action on the Carryover of FY 2023/24 Funding for the Operation of a 30-unit (90-private bedrooms) Homekey Interim Housing Development on Santa Clara County-Owned Land Located at the southeast corner of Lawrence Expressway and Benton Street (CEQA: Statutory Exemption under Government Code Section 65913.4, SB 35 Affordable Housing Projects) and Approve the Related Budget Amendment
Report
COUNCIL PILLAR
Promote and Enhance Economic, Housing and Transportation Development
BACKGROUND
On August 24, 2021, the City Council held a Study Session on Homeless Encampments and Vehicle Dwelling facilitated by the Police Department. This discussion addressed intervention strategies, including submitting an application to the California Project Homekey program to establish a transitional housing site for homeless people in Santa Clara. The City Council requested that staff return with further analysis and a potential proposal for a transitional housing project in Santa Clara utilizing Project Homekey funding.
In November 2021, the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors asked staff at the County's Office of Supportive Housing (OSH) to identify County-owned parcels for interim housing. The County evaluated sites based on several factors, including lot size, accessibility for construction equipment, proximity to transit, and access to utilities, medical services, and grocery stores. In addition, County staff considered the current location of permanent, interim housing options across the County and worked with local jurisdictions that were interested in expanding interim housing options in their communities. County staff identified the County-owned property located at the southeast corner of Lawrence Expressway and Benton Street as an underutilized parcel that could be made available for interim housing.
In late 2022, LifeMoves and the Sobrato Foundation approached the County with a proposal to build interim or supportive housing on the ...
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