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Board approves adding new Valley Homeless Healthcare Program clinic site in San Jose
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Summary
Supervisors approved a change in scope to add Valley Health Center San Jose (1410 S. Bascom Avenue) to the Valley Homeless Healthcare Program’s HRSA scope; staff said the new fixed site will open in fiscal Q1 2026 and relieve overcrowding at the current Bascom clinic.
The Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to approve a change in scope for the Valley Homeless Healthcare Program (VHHP) on May 20 that will add a new fixed clinic site in San Jose.
Why it matters: VHHP provides primary and outreach medical care to people experiencing homelessness. Staff said the new Valley Health Center San Jose (1410 South Bascom Avenue) will relieve crowding at the current clinic and supplement mobile and backpack‑medicine services used to reach people who remain unsheltered.
Staff presentation: Saline Hall, director of VHHP, and Christy Rells, assistant nurse manager, described the change in scope required by HRSA to add the new comprehensive primary care site. Hall said the new VHC San Jose will provide a full spectrum of clinical services and is expected to open in the first quarter of fiscal year 2026. Hall emphasized VHHP will continue mobile medical, backpack medicine and outreach to encampments to reach people who do not come to fixed clinics; staff also said community outreach specialists can provide transportation and navigation to clinic appointments when needed.
Board discussion: Supervisors asked about referral and transportation processes, how many VHHP patients become established at fixed sites versus being served solely by outreach teams, and data collection plans to track transitions to fixed‑site care. Staff said some patients are paneled to fixed clinic medical homes while others refuse fixed‑site care and are best served by field teams; staff agreed to return with data on transitions over time.
Vote and next steps: The board approved the change in scope and the staff recommendation, 5–0. Staff said they will open the site in Q1 FY2026 and continue outreach services, transportation assistance and coordination with Valley Medical Center for referrals requiring imaging or specialty services.
Ending: Supervisors thanked VHHP staff for the program and asked for periodic updates on how the new site affects outreach and clinic utilization.
