by Olivia Wynkoop / Bay City News Foundation

Uploaded: Sun, Jul 10, 2022, 8:54 am 0 Time to read: about 2 minutes

A homeless encampment off Stevens Creek Trail in Mountain View. Embarcadero Media file photo by Michelle Le

Santa Clara County is the 100th community to join the federal initiative "House America," which pairs local governments with federal funding to address homelessness with a "housing first" mentality.

Since its launch in September 2021, local jurisdictions across the country have pledged to use resources of the American Rescue Plan passed by Congress to provide more affordable housing and emergency vouchers to residents in need. Together, the cities, counties and regional territories participating in House America have 50% of the nation's entire homeless population.

Though Los Angeles' Skid Row is often marked the epicenter of the nation's homeless crisis, Silicon Valley is another hot spot that needs to be addressed, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Marcia Fudge said at a press conference Thursday.

No community has solved homelessness by banning it, or by sweeping and moving encampments from area to area, Fudge said. Santa Clara County joining this initiative indicates that they're committed to adopting its "housing first" mindset.

"Solving homelessness means recognizing and confronting the injustices that have led people — especially Black, brown, indigenous people, and other people of color — to the tragic circumstances that they find themselves in today," Fudge said. "Solving homelessness requires focus and the investment of time and resources."

Help sustain the local news you depend on.

Your contribution matters. Become a member today.

She pointed to HUD's recent funding package allocated for House America communities tackling unsheltered homelessness. For those who apply, HUD will distribute 4,000 new public housing vouchers for households experiencing or at-risk of homelessness, as well as $322 million in three-year grants for outreach, permanent housing and support services.

Susan Ellenberg, vice president of the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors, said the county prioritized permanent housing as a solution to homelessness when Measure A was approved by voters in 2016.

Labeled Housing Bond, Measure A has allocated $950 million for the construction and rehabilitation of permanent housing. To date, it has added 4,773 affordable housing units in the county, including 2,000 units for those who were formerly unhoused.

Just last Tuesday, the county added another round of 1,000 affordable housing developments specifically for families, those with special needs and farmworkers under the measure. The board also gave the green light for a community plan to address youth homelessness — currently, an estimated 1,100 young people in the county seek out housing every night, according to county data.

"This work is hard and demands courage, collaboration and unwavering commitment. But we can do it," Ellenberg said. "Santa Clara County is and will continue to be all in for this work. And we look forward to serving as a model for communities across the country."

Get daily headlines sent straight to your inbox in our Express newsletter.

Get daily headlines sent straight to your inbox in our Express newsletter.

Santa Clara County Housing Authority executive director Preston Prince also mentioned the county's Heading Home campaign, which specifically targets meeting the needs of the 600 families experiencing homelessness. The goal is to have more housing placements than the number of families on the streets by 2025, termed "functional zero."

"Our board's forward thinking and commitment to addressing the housing needs of our community's most vulnerable has preceded the campaign," Prince said in reference to the recent addition of 1,000 emergency housing vouchers for families.

San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo also joined Thursday's press conference and highlighted the success of initiatives made on a city level, including its $200 million commitment towards affordable housing this year. Most of this money comes from Measure E, which has generated $135 million since 2020 from a property transfer tax.

Liccardo said that paired with partnership, innovative projects like quick-build apartments and converting motels into housing units will be the key to expanding impact on the crisis.

"We appreciate the deep engagement of the federal government in our local efforts," Liccardo said. "I think we all recognize the importance of bringing both resources and collaboration to this effort."

■ Bay Area CEO charged with murder of woman in Mountain View 30 years ago

■ Highly contagious COVID variant puts Santa Clara County on alert

■ Palo Alto police investigating strong-arm robbery of 16-year-old cyclist

■ With an eye on town's emissions, Los Altos Hills resident spurs county firefighters to switch to renewable diesel fuel

■ Santa Clara County pledges 'housing first' mindset in nationwide homelessness initiative

■ Bay Area CEO charged with murder of woman in Mountain View 30 years ago

■ Highly contagious COVID variant puts Santa Clara County on alert

Follow Mountain View Voice Online on Twitter @mvvoice, Facebook and on Instagram @mvvoice for breaking news, local events, photos, videos and more.

by Olivia Wynkoop / Bay City News Foundation /

Uploaded: Sun, Jul 10, 2022, 8:54 am Santa Clara County is the 100th community to join the federal initiative "House America," which pairs local governments with federal funding to address homelessness with a "housing first" mentality. Since its launch in September 2021, local jurisdictions across the country have pledged to use resources of the American Rescue Plan passed by Congress to provide more affordable housing and emergency vouchers to residents in need. Together, the cities, counties and regional territories participating in House America have 50% of the nation's entire homeless population. Though Los Angeles' Skid Row is often marked the epicenter of the nation's homeless crisis, Silicon Valley is another hot spot that needs to be addressed, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Marcia Fudge said at a press conference Thursday. No community has solved homelessness by banning it, or by sweeping and moving encampments from area to area, Fudge said. Santa Clara County joining this initiative indicates that they're committed to adopting its "housing first" mindset. "Solving homelessness means recognizing and confronting the injustices that have led people — especially Black, brown, indigenous people, and other people of color — to the tragic circumstances that they find themselves in today," Fudge said. "Solving homelessness requires focus and the investment of time and resources." She pointed to HUD's recent funding package allocated for House America communities tackling unsheltered homelessness. For those who apply, HUD will distribute 4,000 new public housing vouchers for households experiencing or at-risk of homelessness, as well as $322 million in three-year grants for outreach, permanent housing and support services. Susan Ellenberg, vice president of the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors, said the county prioritized permanent housing as a solution to homelessness when Measure A was approved by voters in 2016. Labeled Housing Bond, Measure A has allocated $950 million for the construction and rehabilitation of permanent housing. To date, it has added 4,773 affordable housing units in the county, including 2,000 units for those who were formerly unhoused. Just last Tuesday, the county added another round of 1,000 affordable housing developments specifically for families, those with special needs and farmworkers under the measure. The board also gave the green light for a community plan to address youth homelessness — currently, an estimated 1,100 young people in the county seek out housing every night, according to county data. "This work is hard and demands courage, collaboration and unwavering commitment. But we can do it," Ellenberg said. "Santa Clara County is and will continue to be all in for this work. And we look forward to serving as a model for communities across the country." Santa Clara County Housing Authority executive director Preston Prince also mentioned the county's Heading Home campaign, which specifically targets meeting the needs of the 600 families experiencing homelessness. The goal is to have more housing placements than the number of families on the streets by 2025, termed "functional zero." "Our board's forward thinking and commitment to addressing the housing needs of our community's most vulnerable has preceded the campaign," Prince said in reference to the recent addition of 1,000 emergency housing vouchers for families. San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo also joined Thursday's press conference and highlighted the success of initiatives made on a city level, including its $200 million commitment towards affordable housing this year. Most of this money comes from Measure E, which has generated $135 million since 2020 from a property transfer tax. Liccardo said that paired with partnership, innovative projects like quick-build apartments and converting motels into housing units will be the key to expanding impact on the crisis. "We appreciate the deep engagement of the federal government in our local efforts," Liccardo said. "I think we all recognize the importance of bringing both resources and collaboration to this effort."

Santa Clara County is the 100th community to join the federal initiative "House America," which pairs local governments with federal funding to address homelessness with a "housing first" mentality.

Since its launch in September 2021, local jurisdictions across the country have pledged to use resources of the American Rescue Plan passed by Congress to provide more affordable housing and emergency vouchers to residents in need. Together, the cities, counties and regional territories participating in House America have 50% of the nation's entire homeless population.

Though Los Angeles' Skid Row is often marked the epicenter of the nation's homeless crisis, Silicon Valley is another hot spot that needs to be addressed, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Marcia Fudge said at a press conference Thursday.

No community has solved homelessness by banning it, or by sweeping and moving encampments from area to area, Fudge said. Santa Clara County joining this initiative indicates that they're committed to adopting its "housing first" mindset.

"Solving homelessness means recognizing and confronting the injustices that have led people — especially Black, brown, indigenous people, and other people of color — to the tragic circumstances that they find themselves in today," Fudge said. "Solving homelessness requires focus and the investment of time and resources."

She pointed to HUD's recent funding package allocated for House America communities tackling unsheltered homelessness. For those who apply, HUD will distribute 4,000 new public housing vouchers for households experiencing or at-risk of homelessness, as well as $322 million in three-year grants for outreach, permanent housing and support services.

Susan Ellenberg, vice president of the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors, said the county prioritized permanent housing as a solution to homelessness when Measure A was approved by voters in 2016.

Labeled Housing Bond, Measure A has allocated $950 million for the construction and rehabilitation of permanent housing. To date, it has added 4,773 affordable housing units in the county, including 2,000 units for those who were formerly unhoused.

Just last Tuesday, the county added another round of 1,000 affordable housing developments specifically for families, those with special needs and farmworkers under the measure. The board also gave the green light for a community plan to address youth homelessness — currently, an estimated 1,100 young people in the county seek out housing every night, according to county data.

"This work is hard and demands courage, collaboration and unwavering commitment. But we can do it," Ellenberg said. "Santa Clara County is and will continue to be all in for this work. And we look forward to serving as a model for communities across the country."

Santa Clara County Housing Authority executive director Preston Prince also mentioned the county's Heading Home campaign, which specifically targets meeting the needs of the 600 families experiencing homelessness. The goal is to have more housing placements than the number of families on the streets by 2025, termed "functional zero."

"Our board's forward thinking and commitment to addressing the housing needs of our community's most vulnerable has preceded the campaign," Prince said in reference to the recent addition of 1,000 emergency housing vouchers for families.

San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo also joined Thursday's press conference and highlighted the success of initiatives made on a city level, including its $200 million commitment towards affordable housing this year. Most of this money comes from Measure E, which has generated $135 million since 2020 from a property transfer tax.

Liccardo said that paired with partnership, innovative projects like quick-build apartments and converting motels into housing units will be the key to expanding impact on the crisis.

"We appreciate the deep engagement of the federal government in our local efforts," Liccardo said. "I think we all recognize the importance of bringing both resources and collaboration to this effort."

There are no comments yet. Please share yours below.

In order to encourage respectful and thoughtful discussion, commenting on stories is available to those who are registered users. If you are already a registered user and the commenting form is not below, you need to log in. If you are not registered, you can do so here.

Please make sure your comments are truthful, on-topic and do not disrespect another poster. Don't be snarky or belittling. All postings are subject to our TERMS OF USE, and may be deleted if deemed inappropriate by our staff.

See our announcement about requiring registration for commenting.

Home News TownSquare Blogs A&E Community Calendar Home & Real Estate Obituaries

Send News Tips Subscribe Print Edition/Archives Express / Weekend Express Special Pubs Circulation & Delivery Promotions

About Us Contact Us Advertising Info Terms of Use Privacy Policy   Palo Alto Online The Almanac TheSixFifty.com Redwood City Pulse

© 2022 Mountain View Online All rights reserved.   Embarcadero Media   PR MediaRelease Sponsored content Mobile site

© 2022 Mountain View Online. All rights reserved.