The City proactively continues taking actions to address the challenging rise in homelessness and unstably housed individuals over the past four years. The City refers to this as the City’s “three-pronged strategy,” with most of the services becoming operational in the last three years. Elements of the three-pronged approach include funding basic hygiene services, outreach to assess needs and link people to comprehensive health and social services, and assistance to find housing. The City has also partnered with the County of Santa Clara and community-based organizations to develop short-term housing solutions including establishing a safe parking program.
The City is a committed and recognized leader in addressing the regional problem of insufficient housing supply, looking at all options, and taking meaningful actions by leading in areas such as:
These actions have helped the City respond quickly to the COVID-19 crisis with immediate expansion of our safe parking programs. As planned and implemented by the City the last three-years, five Safe Parking Lots are now online to serve Mountain View participants – resulting in Mountain View having the largest safe parking capacity in the County.
The current capacity for safe parking is 67 Oversized Vehicles (OVs) and up to 18 spaces for cars/passenger vehicles. During the COVID-19 crisis the safe parking lots were consistently hosting over 100 individuals.
The two largest lots are operated on City-owned/controlled lots at Shoreline Amphitheatre and on Evelyn Avenue at the former VTA lot. A third opening in August to be operated on Terra Bella Avenue, which is provided in partnership with the Palo Alto Housing Corporation. Two smaller lots are operated on private faith-based organizations’ property.
For more information on actions the City has taken during this COVID-19 Pandemic, resources available to minimize spread and other important information, visit MountainView.gov/COVID and follow City Hall on social media through Twitter.MountainView.gov, Facebook.MountainView.gov, MountainView.gov/Instagram, or subscribe on MountainView.gov/YouTube.
Latest Updates
Links to Council Meetings on this Topic
August 4, 2021 Memorandum on City Initiatives to Assist Homeless and Unstably Housed Residents
October 30, 2020 Memo to City Council on City Initiatives for Homeless and Unstably Housed Residents
March 27, 2020 Council Packet and Report (COVID-19 Relief Efforts)
February 25, 2020 Council Packet and Report
December 3, 2019 Council Packet and Report
September 24, 2019 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:
2019 Background Points:
For background information, including studies, surveys and strategies and related Council reports, click here: Homelessness Study, Survey and Strategy
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.
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:
As part of the Valley Homeless Healthcare Program, Santa Clara County Public Health is now providing their mobile health for services at CSA. This program provides medical services, mental health services, substance use services, and social work and outreach services to homeless and low-income individuals. It is part of expanded efforts to provide services to North County. Services will be provided to Mountain View: Thursdays from 8:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m. at Community Services Agency (CSA) located at 204 Stierlin Road, Mountain View.
Santa Clara County Hotlines are also available:
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.