Palo Alto commissioners review gap analysis on homelessness, stress need for more housing and short-term options

PALO ALTO, Calif. — The Palo Alto Human Relations Commission on June 12 reviewed a gap analysis of housing and services for people experiencing homelessness and spent more than an hour urging faster action on housing, short-term shelter options and supports for seniors and cost-burdened renters.

The gap analysis, presented by Melissa McDonough, assistant to the city manager, summarized county-managed point-in-time and service-assessment data and identified “mismatches between housing program demand and availability,” McDonough said. The report outlines possible actions including a hotel voucher program or converting hotels into shelters, homelessness-prevention funding, pursuing additional affordable-housing funds, incentives or requirements for affordable units, and creating a staff housing-stability team.

Commissioners and public commenters emphasized both long-term and immediate needs. Commissioner Shea described the disparity between demand and supply as “extraordinarily troubling,” noting a need for continued prevention, emergency shelter, transitional housing and throughput into permanent homes. Commissioner Barr and others pressed for greater attention to senior affordable housing, saying Palo Alto’s aging population will heighten demand for units that serve low-income seniors.

City staff and a housing planner, Robert Fane, said there are currently no affordable units in the pipeline specifically targeted to seniors. Fane told commissioners, “There are no units in the pipeline that are specifically targeted for seniors at the moment.” He also said future developments can be targeted to particular populations depending on policy and developer commitments.

Commissioners discussed short-term options and county coordination. McDonough and others clarified that Palo Alto’s Homekey site is scheduled to open this year and will add 24 family units for interim housing. She said initial move-in could be limited to Palo Alto residents if there are local applicants on the hotline, and that the county has committed to prioritizing Palo Alto residents moving forward but will share beds across the county when local demand is lower. The commission discussed whether hotel vouchers or other interim placements should be pursued more aggressively.

Public commenters, including a resident who spoke about a rise in anti-Muslim and anti-Arab incidents nationally and urged immediate anti‑bias training, asked the commission to accelerate recommended staff and community trainings. Other commenters — including housing advocates and a representative from Channing House — urged the commission and council to speed development of affordable housing projects already proposed, highlighted the role of local nonprofits and faith communities in housing support, and recommended targeted tenant-assistance staff for seniors facing eviction.

Commissioners and staff also raised practical barriers that affect people seeking services: lack of reliable cellphones and internet access, which complicates getting on waitlists and receiving notifications; limited nonprofit capacity tied to reductions in federal funding; and the difficulty of providing shelter for people who decline congregate settings. The commission noted that “non-congregate” shelters provide private rooms rather than cots in a shared space.

Several commissioners called for a focused effort on communications partnerships with local tech companies to supply phones, charging and connectivity; for quicker use of city-owned sites such as the Gang Road property for interim solutions; and for a series of fall listening sessions to explore senior housing models and other alternatives such as ADUs.

The commission asked staff to summarize the feedback for the City Council. McDonough said staff will compile commissioners’ input, noting the report was built from county data and interviews with local stakeholders and a consultant, Mikaela Hellman Tincher.

Ending: Commissioners agreed to continue the conversation at upcoming meetings and to pursue targeted follow-up, including a subcommittee on senior housing and additional public engagement around supportive housing models. The commission also signaled it will revisit communications and short-term shelter options with the city manager’s office and county partners. The commission did not take a formal action on housing policy at the meeting; it provided input for the council and requested staff follow-up.