Board approves temporary motel expansion in Sunnyvale as Palo Alto Homekey site is delayed

The Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors on April 8 approved a time‑limited expansion of a motel‑based shelter program in Sunnyvale to add up to 40 single‑adult shelter beds (achieved by doubling rooms when appropriate), pending contract negotiation and coordination with the city.

Why it matters: County staff told the board the expansion is intended to partially offset a temporary net reduction in single‑adult shelter capacity caused by conversion of a North County shelter to serve families. The motel program is proposed as a bridge until a Palo Alto Homekey site and other local placements become available. County staff proposed one‑time funding through available savings to cover motel operations and case management through Dec. 31, 2025 or until the Palo Alto Homekey site opens, whichever occurs first.

What the board approved: The board authorized county staff to negotiate and execute a contract to operate the Sunnyvale motel program, approved related appropriation/transfer actions (items 42 and 43 were considered concurrently), and directed staff to coordinate with the city of Sunnyvale on local hotel use and report back on contract terms and actual bed counts. The board requested that staff provide an update to the board as contracts are finalized and to monitor capacity needs; supervisors also asked staff to continue outreach for longer‑term capacity solutions in North County.

Public comment: Dozens of residents and service providers — including people who had been sheltered in motel rooms during prior programs — urged the board to expand time‑limited motel programs as a humane, fast way to remove people from street exposure while longer‑term housing is arranged.

Ending: County staff said they will finalize negotiations, track occupancy and outcomes, and return with contractual details and utilization updates to the board.