Deputy Director Wheelahan reports on $44M housing services for mental health and justice clients

The County of Santa Clara Health and Hospital Committee meeting on April 30, 2025, spotlighted urgent concerns regarding the escalating housing crisis impacting vulnerable populations, particularly those involved in the justice system. Deputy Director Megan Wheelahan reported that the Behavioral Health Services Department is allocating approximately $44 million for housing services, which includes transitional housing and rental assistance programs. However, the pressing need for immediate action was underscored by community stakeholders who voiced their frustrations over the slow pace of housing placements for clients exiting the jail system.

Erin O'Brien, a concerned advocate, highlighted that the current system is failing to address the needs of clients, with many facing homelessness after leaving treatment facilities. She urged the committee to utilize available funds to tackle the crisis rather than waiting for long-term solutions. Judge Manley echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the dire situation where individuals are stuck in jail due to a lack of housing options, despite being ordered for release. He pointed out that the jail is increasingly becoming a de facto mental health facility, housing individuals who require treatment rather than incarceration.

The meeting also included discussions about upcoming convenings aimed at refining the rental assistance program and addressing the needs of justice-involved clients. However, the urgency of the situation was palpable, with speakers stressing that inaction could lead to severe consequences for the community's most vulnerable members. As the committee prepares for further discussions, the call for immediate and effective solutions to the housing crisis remains a top priority.