BOARD AGENDA MEMORANDUM
Government Code ? 84308 Applies: Yes ? No ?
(If "YES" Complete Attachment A - Gov. Code ? 84308)
SUBJECT:
Title
Overall Coordination on Unhoused Issues.
End
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
Santa Clara Valley Water District (Valley Water) Board, and the City of San Jos? (City) Mayor and City Council receive an update and provide feedback on the overall coordination between the City and Valley Water on unhoused issues.
Body
SUMMARY:
I. Background
The 2023 Point-in-Time Homeless Census found a total of 4,386 persons experiencing unsheltered homelessness in the City of San Jos? as of January 24-25, 2023. This represented an 11% decrease from 2022. Valley Water estimates that approximately 2,300 unsheltered individuals across Santa Clara County have taken refuge on the agency's property and easements-more than 30% of the estimated 7,427 unsheltered population countywide. Valley Water owns and manages approximately 73.3 miles of streams and riparian and aquatic habitat throughout the City of San Jos?. Encampments along the waterways contribute largely to local pollution and the degradation of water quality and habitat in streams. These areas include threatened and endangered species, sensitive habitats, and public infrastructure critical to water supply, groundwater recharge, and flood risk reduction activities.
II. Specific Actions
A. Assembly Bill 1469 (Kalra) Valley Water Assisting Unsheltered People
Assembly Bill (AB) 1469 Valley Water Assisting Unsheltered People, authored by Assemblymember Ash Kalra (D - San Jos?), was signed by Governor Newsom on October 10, 2023, and will take effect on January 1, 2024. In sponsoring AB 1469, Valley Water took proactive steps to gain the authority to use certain resources to assist unsheltered individuals living on public lands and along waterways in Santa Clara County. The City of San Jos? supported Valley Water in this effort every step of the way.
AB 1469 amends the District Act t...
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