CC 07-21-20 #22 FY 2020-21 City Work Program_Written CommunicationsCC 07-21-20
#22,
FY 2020-21 City
Work Program
Written Comments
1
Cyrah Caburian
From:Connie Cunningham <cunninghamconniel@gmail.com>
Sent:Saturday, July 18, 2020 2:48 PM
To:City Council; City Clerk
Subject:Agenda Item 22, City Council Meeting July 21, 2020
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Dear Mayor, Vice‐Mayor, and Councilmembers:
I urgently call on you to NOT remove the Housing Program for De Anza College Students as described in this Agenda
Item 22 for several reasons.
______
Agenda Item 22, City Council Meeting July 21, 2020
Subject: FY 2020‐21 City Work Program‐ Consider adding a Housing Survey item and removing the Housing Program for
De Anza College Students item.
Recommended Action: 1. Consider adding the Housing Survey item to the FY 2020‐21 City Work Program
2. Remove the Housing Program for De Anza College Students item from the FY
2020‐21 City Work Program
3. Authorize expenditures not to exceed $24,000 to fund the Housing Survey
_______
Here are my reasons:
1. Since the Housing Commission handles only Below Market‐Rate (BMR) strategies, it would be more appropriate to put
the Housing Survey under the Planning Commission’s work items. The Planning Commission will be holding a study
session for RHNA (Item #1) which also feeds into the next General Plan and Housing Element. This Housing Survey covers
all housing needs for the city, not just BMR housing.
2. A closer look at the various line items under the Housing section of the FY2020‐21 Work Plan might yield funding for
this Housing Survey. However, all other line items except for Item #4, ADU’s, (Planning Commission) were designed for
BMR housing strategies, and helping our most vulnerable neighbors. It is not appropriate to fund the Housing Survey in
this way.
3. The Housing Survey estimate is for $24,000. As noted below in excerpts from the FY 2020‐21 City Work Plan approved
June 2, 2020, there is no need to remove Item #6. Although I urge the City Council to look elsewhere for ways to fund
the Housing Survey, please note that the Item 6 estimate is $50,000, so could be modified rather than eliminated.
4. That idea is true also of Items #2, #3, #5 and #7. (Described below) All have estimates larger than $24,000. The
Council should direct City Staff to look more closely at the details of those budgets and keep Item #6 on the City Work
Program,
5. Housing Work Plan Item #8 is to look into the Governor’s $1.4 Billion pledge to help the homeless (unhoused
resident) population. Not only does the Governor pledge funding for programs that help unhoused people, but, also,
Senator Beall has been helping housing insecure students in our County for many years. I, specifically, refer to the
building recently set‐aside with his help in San Jose for San Jose State students who are housing insecure.
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6. On January 20, 2020, the City Council received a report on Homelessness (Unhoused Residents). Partners in that
report included De Anza College, West Valley Community Services, and the Santa Clara County Office of Supportive
Housing. Ideas were presented about a variety of needs in our City, and possible solutions.
7. I have heard the misconception stated that, since schools are closed except for online classes, all the De Anza College
students have probably gone home. Please remember that students without housing before the pandemic did not all
have homes to which to return. They are still sleeping in their cars or other places that are not intended for human
habitation.
For these reasons and more, I urgently call upon you to NOT approve this Agenda Item 22. Details below include the
Work Items discussed in this email.
Sincerely,
Connie Cunningham
33 years living in Cupertino
Housing Commission (self‐only)
Proposed FY2020‐21 City Work Plan, approved June 1, 2020
Housing
Item #1: Planning Commission: Study Session... for next RHNA cycle. $5,000 Size: Small
Item #2: Housing Commission: For FY 2020‐21, the City Work Plan was edited to state that the Housing
Commission’s Housing Strategies Work Item is limited to Affordable Housing Strategies. *Continued from FY2019‐20 City
Work Plan. $50,000. Size: Medium. (Note: Last year’s Item was not completed due to COVID‐19.)
Item #3: Housing Commission: Find a way to build moderate income and ELI/DD homes.$150,000 *Continued from
FY2019‐20 City Work Plan. $150,000. Size: Medium.
Item #4 Planning Commission: ADU Plans. City Council Study Session Directive. $10,000 Size: Small.
Next section of five items has subtitle of Homelessness (Unhoused residents)
Item #5: Housing Commission: Review Human Services Housing and Human Services Grants (HSG). City Council Study
Session Directive. $500,000 Size: Small
Item #6 Housing Commission: Housing Program for De Anza College Students. City Council Study Session Directive.
$50,000 Size: Small
Item #7 Housing Commission: Homeless (Unhoused Residents)Services and Facilities. $100,000. Size: Small
Item #8: Housing Commission: Research Governor’s $1.4 Billion ($1,400,000,000) pledge for use with local programs. No
budget required. Size: Small
Item #9: Housing Commission: Transportation to/from Service Providers, $25,000. HSG Grants. Size: Small.
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