In the shadow of federal cutbacks, the Sunnyvale City Council will continue to fund U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) programs.
At its most recent meeting, the council got a five-year and yearly forecast for federal money funneled into its HUD programs. That money is predominantly used for two programs: the city’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program, which funds home repairs, and its rental assistance program.
Heidi Aggler, managing director for Root Policy Research, gave the council the five-year outlook. HUD’s five-year planning uses a combination of data and community input to identify the areas of biggest need throughout the city.
Based on these measures, Aggler said, residents’ top concerns include shelter for domestic violence victims, access to a variety of sober living housing and increased LGBT, special needs and senior housing. Additionally, across demographics, residents were concerned about housing affordability, rental assistance, pathways to homeownership, as well as being confused about where to go for resources.
Although Aggler characterized Sunnyvale as “a leader in providing more diverse housing,” she said Sunnyvale rents and home prices are still high. The 7,500 renters earning $75,000 or less a year are competing for roughly 3,000 apartments.
Affordable housing and addressing homelessness and expanding economic opportunities, specifically for the homeless, are the city’s top needs.
The city estimates receiving roughly $1.5 million in CDBG funding and $991,000 for its home improvement program.
Several groups — including Sunnyvale Community Services, Bill Wilson Center and Sunnyvale Complete Streets — turned out to the meeting to urge the council to continue funding their programs.
“The [tenant based rental assistance] program provides a lifeline for our community and keeps them housed,” said Agnes Veith, who sits on the boards for Livable Sunnyvale and Sunnyvale Community Services.
One group that city employees included in the funding projection was a for-profit daycare provider, Upwards, that works to help up-and-coming daycares get off the ground. The company’s for-profit nature gave several council members pause, especially with looming federal cuts.
Scott Duncan, chair of housing and human services commission, gave the council insight into why the commission’s recommendation differed from the city employees’ recommendation.
He said the $164,000 allocated to Upwards was a bridge too far, adding that he was uncomfortable funding it considering the city may need to backfill money potentially lost due to cuts. Given that, he said it was more prudent for the city to prioritize well-established programs where the value is known.
Council Member Richard Mehlinger tried to split the difference with his motion. He moved that the council allocate $513,534 to Sunnyvale Community Services, $64,000 to Upwards and using the remaining $202,416 for the minor home repair program.
He called Sunnyvale Community Services the city’s “frontline of a social safety net,” adding that it was “critical” that the city maintain its funding.
His colleagues agreed.
Council Member Eileen Le called the motion a “wise allocation of resources.”
Council Member Alyssa Cisneros said it “strikes a really good balance.”
The council unanimously approved both plans. Should the HUD program see its funding cut, the item will come back to the council to decide how to fund it.
Sunnyvale City Council Consent Calendar Spending
The council approved the following spending in one motion via the consent calendar:
- A $807,982 contract with Guerra Construction Group for replacement of playground equipment at Columbia and Cannery Parks.
- A $823,972.80 contract with VSS International, Inc. for slurry sealing.
- A $250,000 one-year contract extension with Hazen and Sawyer for on-call engineering support at the water pollution control plant. Total contract is now $450,000.
- A $250,000 one-year contract extension with Hydro Science Engineers, Inc. for on-call engineering support at the water pollution control plant. Total contract is now $450,000.
- A $250,000 one-year contract extension with Black & Veatch Corporation for on-call engineering support at the water pollution control plant. Total contract is now $500,000.
- A $250,000 one-year contract extension with HDR Engineering, Inc. for on-call engineering support at the water pollution control plant. Total contract is now $500,000.
The council meets again at 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 20 in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 456 W. Olive Ave. in Sunnyvale.
To submit public comments ahead of the meeting, visit http://Sunnyvale.ca.gov/PublicComments; Meeting online link: https://sunnyvale-ca-gov.zoom.us/j/96111580540; meeting call-in telephone number: 833-548-0276, meeting ID: 961 1158 0540
Contact David Alexander at d.todd.alexander@gmail.com
Previous Sunnyvale City Council Meetings:
Sunnyvale Drills Down Into Work Load For The Next Two Years
Sunnyvale Council Rejects Variance For Home Office
Sunnyvale Incentivizes Retail Space At Town Centers
