BOARD AGENDA MEMORANDUM
Government Code § 84308 Applies: Yes ☐ No ☒
(If “YES” Complete Attachment A - Gov. Code § 84308)
SUBJECT:
Title
Unhoused People and Environment Summit.
End
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
A. Participate in the Unhoused People and Environment Summit; and
B. Receive information from the summit panel discussions and provide direction to staff as appropriate.
Body
SUMMARY:
Santa Clara Valley Water District (Valley Water) is hosting the Unhoused People and Environment Summit (Summit) to bring together local leaders from Santa Clara County, South Bay cities, businesses, nonprofit groups, advocacy organizations, and law enforcement agencies, as well as leaders at the state and federal level, to discuss addressing encampments of unsheltered people living along Valley Water’s waterways and work together towards solutions for those experiencing homelessness. The Summit seeks to facilitate conversations on actionable ideas for collaboration to address the needs of unsheltered people while also protecting our waterways and the environment.
The Summit will focus on the public safety and environmental crisis as well as the humanitarian crisis of homelessness happening along Valley Water’s waterways. The Summit will feature panel discussions on the impacts of encampments along waterways and challenges; tools, resources, and strategies to help address unsheltered homelessness along waterways; and opportunities for interagency collaboration.
Panelists include executive leadership from the California Interagency Council on Homelessness, County of Santa Clara, City of San Jose, Destination: Home, and Dignity Moves. The Summit will also feature remarks from local elected representatives and state agency officials. The agenda outline is included with this report as Attachment 1.
The Summit will be facilitated by Roger Jackson, President and CEO of RJ Jackson Company. Mr. Jackson previously facilitated the Listening Session for the proposed Water Resources Protection Zone Ordinance (Ordinance) on July 25, 2024, when advocacy groups and nonprofits that support the unsheltered community were invited to provide input about the Ordinance and suggestions to better address the needs of unsheltered people living near waterways, while also improving Valley Water staff safety and environmental protection.
ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE AND EQUITY IMPACT:
There are no environmental justice and equity impacts associated with conducting the Unhoused People and Environment Summit. However, the summit will feature panel discussions on addressing the impacts of encampments along Valley Water’s waterways and the needs of unsheltered people living in riparian corridors, and is intended to benefit the vulnerable unsheltered community taking refuge along Valley Water’s waterways and protect the environment.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The Office of Government Relations has budgeted funds to support the estimated cost to host the Unhoused People and Environment Summit in the FY 2024-25 Adopted Budget. No additional funding is needed at the time.
CEQA:
The recommended action does not constitute a project under CEQA because it does not have a potential for resulting in direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment.
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment 1: Summit Agenda
*Handout 2.1-A: Nasser Comments
*Handout 2.1-B: Osmer Comment
*Handout 2.1-C: PowerPoint
*Handout 2.1-D: Anonymous Comment
*Handout 2.1-E: Gardner Health Services
*Handout 2.1-F: Wilson
UNCLASSIFIED MANAGER:
Manager
Marta Lugo, 408-630-2237