In 2023, the City of Santa Clara started planning to create more shelters for the unhoused at the corner of Benton Street and Lawrence Expressway in Santa Clara. The proposed program would have 80 – 120 units.

Prior surveys conducted by the City of Santa Clara show that 50% of the homeless have addiction problems.

At least half are getting some type of government assistance. 95% are unemployed. 25% have been in jail in 2020- 2021.

It has also been stated that there will be minimum screening requirements for the shelter users which begs the question of the need for placing a shelter in the heart of a community of schools, parks, and libraries. Such shelters have been shown to require a high degree of policing, and emergency services and are accompanied by rampant problems of crime, trash, and poorer quality of life for the residents.

Neither has the community been consulted for the proposal nor have we been informed of the proposal by official channels. The community learned of the development only from alert residents who have been going through routine official communication.

The residents of Santa Clara request the City of Santa Clara to not place a homeless shelter as proposed.

Join County Community Meetings:
● March 1st at 6:00pm, in person at Mission City Church, 1290 Pomeroy Avenue
● March 9th at 6:00pm, in person at Mission City Church, 1290 Pomeroy Avenue