REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Presentation from County of Santa Clara Regarding Proposed Temporary Winter Homeless Shelter on County Property Located at Fair Oaks Avenue between East California Avenue and Central Expressway in Sunnyvale, and Possible Action by City Council
Report
BACKGROUND
This public hearing is a presentation by the County of Santa Clara (County) regarding its proposal to establish a temporary winter shelter on County property bordered by Fair Oaks Avenue, East California Avenue and Central Expressway for homeless individuals and households. Council action is not required since the proposal would be a County facility on County property; the County is seeking the City Council's comments on this proposal.
County staff has been seeking a new site for a winter shelter in the northern portion of Santa Clara County, specifically in Palo Alto, Mountain View, or Sunnyvale, for more than a year following direction by the County Board of Supervisors. On August 12, 2014 (RTC 14-0733) Council expressed support for the County's efforts to obtain a new site and develop a new winter shelter in Sunnyvale or elsewhere in the County. Based on Council direction, staff provided information requested by the County on possible Sunnyvale sites, such as lists of surplus property, zoning maps, and land use permitting information.
County staff researched several sites for a permanent facility within and outside of Sunnyvale, but none have thus far been found to be available or suitable. Concerns have been voiced by stakeholders from throughout the County and beyond, including elected officials, residents, non-profit agency staff, advocates and religious leaders, that a shelter is needed in the North County in time for the next winter season. Since winter is approaching, County staff recently shifted its focus to find a site to establish a temporary shelter for the upcoming winter season only. The County is now proposing a temporary shelter on County-...
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