Sunnyvale unveils first five-year homelessness strategy, staff to return with implementation plan

Sunnyvale city staff presented the city's first five-year strategic plan to address homelessness at a joint meeting of the City Council and the Housing & Human Services Commission on Dec. 2, saying the plan focuses on improving service quality, sustainability and systems coordination rather than launching multiple new programs. City Manager Tim Kirby said staff sought feedback from both bodies before returning with a high-level implementation plan.

The plan lays out five goals: (1) strengthen regional collaboration, (2) expand supportive housing and shelter capacity and supportive services, (3) prevent homelessness and displacement, (4) improve quality of life for people experiencing homelessness and the surrounding community, and (5) promote equity and include people with lived experience in program design. Amanda Stultz, the city's housing officer, told the joint meeting that the plan draws from recent county and federal data, prior community engagement and the city's housing element and HUD consolidated plan.

Staff said the 2025 point-in-time count, which used changed methodology, shows a slight overall reduction in…