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County property at Benton and Lawrence in Santa Clara, the proposed site of a new low barrier interm housing facility for homeless families

Santa Clara Housing Advocates

We support low-barrier interim housing in our neighborhood

MARCH 1

2023

5 neighbors gathered after a community meeting about the Lawrence & Benton HomeKey project

MARCH & APRIL

2023

SCHA dropped over 2000 fliers in the neighborhood, organized residents, and educated decision makers

APRIL 25

2023

At the City Council meeting, SCHA gave a presentation based on facts, and an unprecedented number of supporters spoke during public comment

MAY 2

2023

Santa Clara City Council voted to move forward with the Lawrence & Benton HomeKey project

*Stay tuned while SCHA leadership plans what comes next

The County of Santa Clara and LifeMoves are working to create more interim housing for unhoused people. This is a need shown in the Community Plan to End Homelessness. We propose an interim housing program at the corner of Benton Street and Lawrence Expressway in Santa Clara. The program that will be proposed at the April 25, 2023 City Council meeting will have 30 family units (90 rooms) that could house approximately 120 people. It would also have on-site support services for the people staying there. Each person would have their own room and restroom. They could stay and be part of the community while they find long-term housing. The program would help people going through the hardest time in their lives recover from life on the streets, giving them a chance for better health and stability.

OFFICE OF SUPPORTIVE HOUSING

UNIT DESIGN

Individual units with private bathrooms & kitchenettes​

 

COMMUNITY SPACES

Shared space for activities and larger kitchens​

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EXTERIOR

Modular structure will create a modern exterior

STRUCTURE

LOW BARRIER

Allowing service to the people who need it most​

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SUPPORTIVE SERVICES

Site identified as under used land owned by the county

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SAFETY MEASURES

Secure entry, onsite staff 24/7 including security

PROGRAM DESIGN

Our leaders have the responsibility to do the right thing for everyone who lives in this city, not just the ones with housing

It's time to move beyond words and show commitment to making things better with actions

Graphic from LifeMoves describing supportive services included in their programs: Career/Employment, Health/Physical, Behavioral Care, Family & Child Services, Community Support, Financial / Legal Aid, Education / Skills Buidling

LOW BARRIER IS BETTER

Graph from a KQED report showing that among 5 similar interim housing sites in San Jose, emergency calls went down in every category except ambulances one year after opening

SAFER FOR EVERYONE

Image of Pomeroy Elementary school in Santa Clara

THE KIDS ARE ALRIGHT

Graphic from All Home describing the role of interim housing: One solution amongst many, A step on the path to a permanent home, "yes, and" approach

INTERIM SUCCESS

STAFF

2023

City & County government requested staff to find options for interim housing. Staff identified property at Benton & Lawrence as under-used land.

COMMUNITY

FEB 13 - MAR 22 2023

Staff held 4 community meetings where they took questions and comments and altered the plan to better reflect the needs of the community

COUNTY

JUNE 6 2023

The County Board of Supervisors voted with unanimous consent to contribute funds, lease the land, and cosponsor the HomeKey application for this project

CITY

OCT 29 2024

California HCD has shown interest in funding this project. Council will vote to reaffirm their commitment through a reappropriations process

CITY

2025

After receiving the HomeKey grant, the City Council will vote again to approve the final details

OPENING

2 Years

If all goes according to the preliminary timeline from staff, the family interim housing facility on the corner of Benton & Lawrence will open about 2 years later

CITY

APR 25 & MAY 2 2023

The City Council heard presentations from staff and listened to over 5 hours of comments from the public, then voted 4-3 to move forward

HOMEKEY APPLICATION

June 2023

In partnership with LifeMoves, staff put together an application for the state HomeKey grant which this project relies on

HOMEKEY GRANT

Coming Soon

Keep an eye out for an announcement from the state that this project will be awarded funds from the HomeKey program

CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS

COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

OSH 

"OFFICE HOURS"

IN THE NEWS

Lawrence & Benton, and interim housing in Santa Clara County

JOIN YOUR NEIGHBORS

Are you a neighbor?
Selct All That Apply

Thank you for supporting your neighbors

We will reach out to you soon

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