D3's Focus On: Housing & Homelessness

While efforts to build more housing will continue, more people are becoming unhoused and we cannot continue to let this matter hemorrhage out of control. Priority number one is getting people off the streets and out of the cold. We're making real strides in this effort.

Project HomeKey - Milpitas
Solving homelessness is not something we are able to do alone, and thankfully the State of California is making investments to help us. Project HomeKey is a program that is helping us utilize empty lodging - like hotels - to provide temporary housing for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness. In Milpitas we have the opportunity to create 130 units that can get neighbors and families into temporary housing. Community concerns continue to be heard and we are working to address them. Milpitas has seen a rise of homelessness across the city, most visible along the freeways with new encampments springing up daily. Thanks to this project we have been able to fill more than 50% of the units and are working to ensure space for those most in need and for families from Milpitas.

Fair Oaks Park - Sunnyvale
Our parks have become the first option for many of our unhoused neighbors. As when recent rain intensified and temperatures dropped, lives were at risk at Fair Oaks Park and we worked with local advocates to get our neighbors indoors. I wish we could say that we were able to swiftly find them housing, but with our shelters full and spaces limited, it was a real challenge. And of course the COVID-19 pandemic has made this whole situation nearly impossible. However, I am very happy to report that thanks to the great work from leaders in Sunnyvale and the persistence of good people, we are finding temporary housing for over 30 residents.

Shelters & Expanding Temporary Solutions
A constant question that arises when discussing the housing and homeless issue - is where do we build or where do we find land? I believe that this question far too often serves as a delay tactic that is keeping us from making the tough choices and getting to work on this issue. Our humanity is on the line, just as the lives of the unhoused are on the line - and we need to take action to utilize the limited resources we have to get people off the streets. The shelter in Sunnyvale has been a vital asset in getting help to those in need and safely. I am committed to working with city and regional partners to find more spaces so we can create better solutions for our neighbors that become unhoused. We're working to find good sites, but we also need solid options for temporary housing.

Pallet Housing - San José
When I was stationed in Iraq, I lived inside a shipping container. It wasn't always the best home, but we were able to convert this big metal box into a space that I could call my home. I had space for my belongings, protection against the weather and a bed to sleep in each night. While we continue to look into making this option a reality, we are thankful to have great innovators also considering these ideas. We have been able to try one of these new ideas in San José, and hopefully something we can open in other parts of the county - pallet housing. These units come with 4 beds and space for belongings, electricity, and AC/heat. They arrive easy to to assemble, on a pallet. These are game changers in temporary housing. The County made a major investment and recently opened 25 units at Casitas de Esperanza near the old San José City Hall. I am hopeful that we can create more sites like this in D3 and through the county. Click HERE for media coverage of Casitas de Esperanza