Supervisors' budget workshop spotlights uncertainty for family housing, senior nutrition and safety-net programs

Santa Clara County supervisors and staff warned May 13 that changes in state and federal funding could reduce services for families, older adults and people with disabilities, while frontline county social workers and advocates urged the board to preserve programs that prevent homelessness and support health.

At the Board of Supervisors' budget workshop, speakers and department leaders focused on uncertainty surrounding the Bringing Families Home program, reductions proposed to the HomeSafe program for older adults, changes to CalWORKs housing supports and persistent low meal-reimbursement rates from the Area Agency on Aging (SourceWise) that increase county general‑fund costs.

Why it matters: Supervisors and social‑service staff said those programs provide short‑term housing and services that stabilize people who otherwise face housing loss or worse health outcomes. Several speakers, including Department of Family and Children Services (DFCS) staff, said cuts or administrative changes would make it harder to recruit and retain workers and could disproportionately affect families of color.

Kevin Lee, of Special Olympics Northern California, told the board the county’s investments support preventive health for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and asked for continued support. DFCS staff…