Board backs temporary expansion of Sunnyvale motel shelter as Palo Alto Homekey delays continue

The Board of Supervisors on April 8 approved a staff proposal to expand a motel‑based shelter program in Sunnyvale to serve single adults while the county completes transition of the North County shelter to family use and finalizes a delayed Palo Alto Homekey site.

County staff said the Sunnyvale motel program would be a temporary measure to reduce waits for single‑adult shelter placements while the Homekey site is completed. The proposal would double occupancy in motel rooms (two people per room where appropriate) to maximize bed count during the pilot and is designed to operate only until the Palo Alto Homekey site opens or through December 31, 2025, whichever comes first; staff will finalize contract and occupancy details during negotiations.

Public commenters at the meeting urged continued expansion and called the motel approach a critical stop‑gap that had provided safe rest and a platform for people to pursue medical care, benefits recertification and employment searches. Board members asked staff to coordinate closely with the city of Sunnyvale, to return with operational details and to report contract and utilization numbers as the program rolls out.

Supervisors voted 5‑0 to authorize staff to proceed with the motel expansion and to move related appropriation items (agenda items 42 and 43) concurrently. Staff told the board the motel expansion would be funded from one‑time savings already available and that staff would return with contract details and an update on capacity use during implementation.