Council authorizes city manager to join West Valley shelter feasibility study led by Campbell

The Cupertino City Council voted April 8 to authorize the city manager to execute a memorandum of understanding to join a West Valley feasibility study on temporary housing and emergency shelter for people experiencing homelessness.

Ben Fu, director of community development, and Nikki Vu, senior housing coordinator, told the council the study — led by the city of Campbell — will be performed by consultant Good City Company and is funded by Campbell with a consultant contract of about $99,000. Staff said Cupertino’s financial contribution to the consultant is $0; Cupertino staff would participate in data collection, stakeholder outreach and review of the report. Staff estimated the study’s completion in August 2025.

Vu summarized background data the consultant will analyze: Santa Clara County’s 2023 point‑in‑time count identified about 10,000 people experiencing homelessness, with roughly 75% unsheltered; the city of Cupertino’s count was cited as about 50 people, with 100% unsheltered. Vu described a range of shelter types the study will evaluate, from seasonal and emergency shelters to navigation centers and permanent supportive housing, and said the study would assess service and staffing needs and consult county agencies, including the Office of Supportive Housing and the county continuum of care.

Council members asked about county involvement, funding and staffing. Vice Mayor Kitty Moore suggested staff request information on state and federal homelessness funding that San Jose and Santa Clara County receive. A council member asked whether the feasibility study could identify the fiscal role of the county versus the cities; staff said the study would consider available county resources and the county continuum of care would be consulted.

Public commenters included both supporters and critics of the study. Jennifer Griffin and Peggy Griffin welcomed a regional approach and urged using study findings to lobby the county for West Valley resources. A different speaker urged council members to press the county supervisors directly rather than expand intercity studies.

The memorandum of understanding lists Campbell as the lead jurisdiction and identifies participating jurisdictions as Cupertino, Saratoga, Los Gatos and Monte Sereno. Staff described the city’s role as contributing data and participating in stakeholder engagement; Campbell is funding the consultant contract. Vu said the study will help demonstrate compliance with Cupertino’s housing element strategies to allow emergency shelters and low‑barrier navigation centers by zoning changes if the study shows feasibility.

Council member questions focused on timing and scope; staff said demographic and census data collection uses regional sources and would not be lengthened by Cupertino joining late, and stakeholder interviews would follow. The council voted to authorize the city manager to execute the memorandum of understanding; staff will return with findings and any recommended follow‑up actions upon completion of the study.