Elderly and disabled residents face neglect in shelters

Residents of a local shelter voiced serious concerns during a recent government meeting, highlighting issues of mistreatment, inadequate care, and unsanitary conditions. Multiple speakers, including elderly residents, described their experiences with staff at the Bill Wilson Center, expressing feelings of disrespect and neglect. One resident, Alma, emphasized the lack of empathy shown towards elderly and disabled individuals, stating, \"They treat these grandmothers like just animals.\"

The meeting revealed alarming reports of a scabies outbreak within the shelter, with residents detailing inadequate medical attention and poor living conditions. Alma recounted her own struggles with health issues exacerbated by the shelter's policies, including being denied access to water necessary for her medication. Another speaker, Tim, echoed these sentiments, criticizing the lack of cleanliness and basic hygiene supplies, such as soap in the bathrooms.

Community advocates called for immediate oversight and a change in management to ensure that the shelter operates with compassion and respect for its residents. They urged the city to appoint an independent compliance manager to evaluate the shelter's operations and address the systemic issues raised by residents.

Sunnyvale Mayor Larry Klein acknowledged the outreach efforts initiated by the Office of Supportive Housing but noted that these actions were overdue. He emphasized the need for a detailed plan to minimize the impact of the ongoing transition on current shelter occupants and to ensure that the community's most vulnerable members receive the care they deserve.

The meeting concluded with a call for more robust stakeholder engagement and a commitment to treating homelessness with humanity, as residents continue to face significant challenges in securing safe and dignified shelter.