City of Sunnyvale  
Meeting Minutes - Final  
Housing and Human Services  
Commission  
Tuesday, January 6, 2026  
7:00 PM  
Online and Redwood Conference Room  
(Room 140), City Hall, 456 W. Olive Ave.,  
Sunnyvale, CA 94086  
CALL TO ORDER  
Chair Friedlander called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.  
SALUTE TO THE FLAG  
Chair Friedlander led the salute to the United States flag.  
ROLL CALL  
Present: 5 -  
Absent: 2 -  
Chair Morgan Friedlander  
Vice Chair Leesa Riviere  
Commissioner Scott Duncan  
Commissioner Rao Shen  
Commissioner Carol Weiss  
Commissioner Jim Davis  
Commissioner Commissioner Steward  
Commissioner Steward absence is excused.  
Commissioner Davis' absence is unexcused.  
Council Liaison Sell (present)  
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS  
Chair Friedlander opened the public hearing at 7:04 p.m.  
Alpana Agarwal, Co-Founder of Helping Hands Silicon Valley, addressed the  
Commission and shared her overall concerns about the unhoused community in  
Sunnyvale, including limited inclement weather shelter capacity and the need for  
additional safe parking and shelter options.  
In response to questions, Ms. Agarwal explained that Helping Hands is primarily  
community-funded and has not previously applied for City funding due to audited  
financial statement requirements. Housing Officer, Amanda Sztoltz, provided an  
update on the status of the Safe Parking Program, including ongoing efforts to  
identify viable sites, existing City funding for safe parking capital grants, and  
outreach efforts to community-based and faith-based organizations.  
CONSENT CALENDAR  
Chair Friedlander opened and closed the public hearing at 7:19 p.m.  
MOTION: Commissioner Duncan moved and Vice Chair Riviere seconded the  
motion to approve the Consent Calendar.  
The motion carried by the following vote:  
Yes: 4 -  
Chair Friedlander  
Vice Chair Riviere  
Commissioner Duncan  
Commissioner Shen  
No: 0  
Absent: 2 -  
Commissioner Davis  
Commissioner Steward  
Abstain: 1 - Commissioner Weiss  
1.A  
26-0209  
Approve the Housing and Human Services Commission  
Meeting Minutes of November 24, 2025  
PUBLIC HEARINGS/GENERAL BUSINESS  
2
26-0127  
Review Two Draft Requests for Proposals: FY 2026/27 CDBG  
Capital Projects and FY 2026/27 and FY 2027/28 HOME  
Tenant-Based Rental Assistance  
Housing Programs Analyst, Matt Hazel, presented two draft Requests for Proposals  
(RFPs):  
1. Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Capital Projects and Economic  
Development Programs for FY 2026–27  
2. HOME Tenant-Based Rental Assistance (TBRA) Program for FY 2026–27 and  
FY 2027–28.  
Matt Hazel reported that the City anticipates receiving approximately $1 million in  
CDBG funds and $350,000 annually in HOME funds, subject to federal  
appropriations and City budget adoption. An estimated $700,000 in CDBG funds  
would be available for capital projects and economic development activities.  
Approximately $1.35 million per year in HOME and City funds, totaling $2.7 million  
for two years.  
Staff also reviewed the TBRA program, which provides rental assistance, security  
deposit assistance, utility allowances, and case management services to  
households at risk of or experiencing homelessness. Participants contribute  
approximately 30 percent of their income toward rent and may receive assistance  
for up to two years.  
Staff stated the RFPs were scheduled for release on January 7, 2026, and that  
Commission feedback at this meeting represented the final opportunity for  
suggested modifications prior to release. No formal action was required.  
Commission Discussion:  
Commissioners asked questions regarding eligible CDBG activities and how  
proposed projects ensure compliance with HUD requirements to benefit low- and  
moderate-income (LMI) households. Staff clarified that HUD requires at least 70  
percent of total CDBG funds to benefit LMI households overall and that LMI benefit  
is emphasized and scored in the RFP evaluation process.  
Commissioners discussed economic development activities, including  
microenterprise assistance, and requested clarification on how funding would  
prioritize community-serving and small businesses. Staff stated that allowable  
activities are defined by HUD and that the RFP scoring criteria prioritize LMI benefit  
and community impact.  
Additional discussion included:  
- Distribution of CDBG funds among one or multiple projects, which staff stated  
would depend on the strength and quality of applications received.  
- Prioritization of infrastructure, public facilities, and economic development activities  
for this funding cycle, with staff explaining that limited funding levels reduce  
feasibility for housing development projects.  
- Outreach strategies for the RFP, including direct outreach to partner agencies,  
listserv distribution, and countywide provider networks.  
Commissioners asked questions regarding:  
- Program outcomes and long-term housing stability  
- The use of HOME funds for TBRA compared to alternative housing strategies  
- Reasonable accommodation policies for persons with disabilities, with staff  
confirming the program follows HUD definitions and aligns with the City’s Housing  
Element policies.  
Staff explained that HOME funding has limited flexibility and that TBRA was  
selected as a cost-effective approach to homelessness prevention given funding  
constraints.  
After a lengthy discussion, Chair Friedlander opened the public hearing at 7:45 p.m.  
Marie Bernard, Executive Director at Sunnyvale Community Services, spoke in  
support of the TBRA program. She described the organization’s role administering  
the program, its focus on homelessness prevention, and reported positive housing  
stability outcomes for participating households.  
Chair Friedlander closed the public hearing at 7:57 p.m.  
NON-AGENDA ITEMS AND COMMENTS  
-Commissioner Comments  
None.  
-Staff Comments  
Housing Officer, Amanda Sztoltz, provided the following staff comments:  
- information-only item regarding the Family Shelter Study would be presented to  
City Council on January 27, 2026, and that related materials would be shared with  
the Commission once available.  
- an update on tenant protections and a HUD Substantial Amendment related to the  
closure of the Workforce Program would be brought to the Commission at the  
February 25, 2026 meeting.  
- announced the upcoming release of the City’s biannual Notice of Funding  
Availability (NOFA) for affordable housing funds, with recommended awards  
anticipated to be presented to the Commission in March.  
- internal planning had begun for community outreach efforts associated with the  
City’s homelessness strategic planning process. Outreach activities are anticipated  
to occur during February and March and will include community meetings, surveys,  
and engagement at community locations.  
ADJOURNMENT  
Chair Friedlander adjourned the meeting at 8:53 p.m.