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San Benito County proclaims May as Mental Health Awareness and Affordable Housing month; advocates press for housing solutions
Summary
The board adopted proclamations recognizing Mental Health Awareness Month and Affordable Housing Month, heard from behavioral health staff and local education and housing advocates about services, outreach events, teacher recruitment challenges, and the need for more affordable units and vouchers.
The San Benito County Board of Supervisors on May 12 adopted proclamations declaring May 2026 both Mental Health Awareness Month and Affordable Housing Month and heard appeals from local educators, housing advocates and senior‑service providers for more housing and outreach.
Supervisor (speaker 6) presented the Mental Health Awareness Month proclamation, and San Benito County Behavioral Health representatives accepted it and described outreach planned for the month, including weekly presence at the Hollister farmers market and resources at the Esperanza Center (screenings, a food pantry, housing navigation assistance and peer‑led wellness activities). Geraldine Arcey of the Behavioral Health Department thanked the board for its support and encouraged residents to use available services.
During public comment Cindy Peterson, chief human resources officer for the San Benito High School District, said the district is facing severe teacher recruitment challenges and identified the high local cost of housing as a primary barrier to hiring and retention. “To recruit and retain teachers, the question is not only whether a candidate wants to teach here with us, but whether they can afford to live in our community,” Peterson told the board.
Matt Huerta of the Monterey Bay Economic Partnership urged the county to expedite housing production and leverage regional initiatives that have delivered affordable units in the Tri‑County area. Nikki Luna, a resident, described family experience with housing vouchers and long waitlists and said the local agreement with the Santa Cruz County Housing Authority touches families across generations.
Supervisor (speaker 6) also reviewed county voucher and deed‑restricted unit counts and recited Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) numbers for the 2023–2031 planning period, noting unincorporated San Benito County’s share and the county’s limited stock of deed‑restricted affordable units.
Both proclamations were adopted by roll call vote, 5–0. Board members and nonprofit partners took photos and thanked staff and volunteers involved in mental‑health outreach and housing advocacy. The proclamations are ceremonial recognitions; board members said continued policy action will be needed to convert advocacy into new housing opportunities and support services for seniors and low‑income residents.
The meeting moved on to the regular agenda after the presentations.
