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Living in Vehicles and Homeless Information

 

For information about the Safe Parking Program, visit our Safe Parking Program page.

For information about our 3-prong, strategic approach, visit our Homeless Study, Survey and Strategy page

Links to Resources for Homeless and Neighbors 

Click here to go weblinks to local and county resources for neighbors and homeless or scroll down the page. 

Latest Updates

September 24, 2019 Summary of Council Actions on Safe Parking and Emergency Shelters

Accept staff recommendations for expansion of Safe Parking to include private lots and more zones for Emergency Shelters, and to use the HRC to help connect the City to possible new lots, require HRC to provide quarterly progress updates, change the hours of operation to 5 p.m. to 9 a.m. and the operator MAY elect to have a different time span or allow when lot if not in use for other things, increase shelter bed maximum to 150 (from 78) for any shelter in Mountain View, and direct staff to discuss with School District about using joint athletic facilities as possible emergency shelter for those in need.

Staff recommendations were:
  1. Introduce An Ordinance Amending Chapter 36, Articles XVII, IX, XVI, IV, V, VI, and VIII and Chapter 19, Article VIII, of the Mountain View City Code Related to Safe Parking and Emergency Shelters, to be read in title only, further reading waived, and set a second reading for October 22, 2019 (Attachment 1 to the Council report).
  2. Adopt A Resolution Amending the P-39 (North Bayshore) Precise Plan Related to Safe Parking, to be read in title only, further reading waived (Attachment 2 to the Council report).
  3. Approve direction for the Human Relations Commission to have a role in safe parking outreach.
  4. Authorize the use of $100,000 for safe parking from the $200,000 included in the Fiscal Year 2019-20 Adopted Budget originally authorized for Homeless Enforcement Initiatives.
  5. Authorize the City Manager to execute an agreement with the County of Santa Clara for a total not to exceed $285,000, which includes $100,000 to increase the safe parking capacity; $125,000, as previously approved, to continue a case worker for permanent supportive housing for chronically homeless; and $60,000 for case management and outreach.

Links to Council Meetings on this Topic 

September 24 Council Packet and Report 

June 11, 2019 Council Packet and Report

April 9, 2019 Council Packet and Report

March 19, 2019 Council Packet and Report

December 11, 2018 Council Packet and Report

October 9, 2018 Council Packet and Report

March 6, 2018 Council Packet and Report 

March 7, 2017 Council Packet and Report

December 13, 2016 Council Packet and Report

October 4, 2016 Council Packet and Report

February 23, 2016 Council Packet and Report

Santa Clara County Homeless Census and Survey

On January 29 and 30, Santa Clara County conducted their bi-annual point-in-time (PIT) homeless count across Santa Clara County. While the Countywide summary was published in May, the city-by-city data was posted on July 12, 2019 and may be viewed or downloaded here: Santa Clara County 2019 Homeless Census and Survey

Quick Mountain View-specific Summary

2019 Mountain View Data:

  • Mountain View homelessness is up to 606 from 416 - a 46% increase in its homeless population from 2017.
  • Mountain View has the 3rd highest percentage increase in the County. Our neighbors, in Sunnyvale had the largest percentage increase recorded at 147%;  Palo Alto increased by 13%; and Los Altos went from reporting 6 in 2017 to 76 in 2019.
  • In terms of numbers, Mountain View has the 4th largest homeless population in the County.

2019 Background Points:

  • The outreach and communications for the PIT process was increased to ensure a more accurate count.
  • There is a large increase in vehicle living count Countywide (from 591 to 1,747 Countywide).  Mountain View counts of living in vehicles have ranged from 200-300 over the last three years.
  • In Fiscal Year 2017-18, CSA served 597 homeless unduplicated individuals and in 2018-19 that number has risen further to well over 600.
  • The County Cold Weather Shelter at Trinity United Methodist Church (operated by HomeFirst) showed 32 “sheltered” homeless, which could be read as part of the increase in Mountain View.
  • Survey feedback included the lack of affordable housing availability experienced by respondents seeking it, along with the need for assistance with rent/mortgage payments, employment assistance, and alcohol/drug counseling to help prevent individuals from becoming homeless. 

Homelessness Study, Survey and Strategy 

For background information, including studies, surveys and strategies and related Council reports, click here: Homelessness Study, Survey and Strategy

HELPFUL RESOURCES FOR OUR NEIGHBORHOODS

The City understands concerns about maintaining the quality of life in Mountain View and balancing interests of those living in vehicles with those of our neighbors. While most residents living in vehicles abide by laws, Mountain View has continued to enforce other code provisions when applicable, such as illegal waste dumping or trespassing.

  • Both residents living in vehicles and neighbors are encouraged to contact the Mountain View Police Department (MVPD) when experiencing any emergency or safety threat by dialing 9-1-1.
  • For non-emergency concerns, call the non-emergency line at (650) 903-6395.
  • You may also report vehicles parked for more than 72 hours by calling our hotline at (650) 903-6358.

Looking to Help?

The best way for people to help is to volunteer or donate money or items to members of the Emergency Assistance Network (EAN), which include the Community Services Agency here in Mountain View. Get more information about local EANs and the Community Services Agency in the links below.

Santa Clara County Hotlines are also available:

  • Call 2-1-1 for Health and Human Services in Santa Clara County
  • Homeless Helpline: Call the County Office of Supportive Housing at (408) 793-0550 to ask for assistance or report a homeless person in need in Santa Clara County (excluding San Jose)
  • Homeless can register to receive text messages about services as by sending a text message to 888777

HelpFul Resources for Our Homeless Neighbors

Santa Clara County Hotlines are also available:

  • Call 2-1-1 for Health and Human Services in Santa Clara County
  • Homeless Helpline: Call the County Office of Supportive Housing at (408) 793-0550 to ask for assistance or report a homeless person in need in Santa Clara County (excluding San Jose)
  • Homeless can register to receive text messages about services as by sending a text message to 888777

QUESTIONS AND FEEDBACK

For questions about the City's homeless initiatives, use AskMV and choose "Homeless/Living in Vehicles" from the menu. 

For questions about parking violations, use AskMV and choose "Police Department/Parking Enforcement" from the menu.

Periodic updates are also available by, following the City's social media channels, which you can access through www.mountainview.gov/social.

 

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