Attachment 6 - Proposal for Unhoused ClientsThe accompanying proposal is the work of several faith community members* who through their
ministries work with the Town’s unhoused residents. It reflects years of this experience and also the
priorities put forth by several unhoused residents at two different forums in 2023.
It is our understanding that $25K of ARP Funds are available now for spending on priorities for our
unhoused residents. With this in mind, the $25K may best be directed to the immediate need for a 24 hr
porta potty (ies) and hotel vouchers or an account set up at town hotels for emergency needs of our
unhoused residents. It is also our understanding that $300K in Town grants will become available for
application June-July 2023. St Luke's Pantry will apply for a grant (having never received Town
financial support in the past) , and Los Gatos United Methodist Church will apply for shower cleaning
again.
Our proposal for future funding includes a permanent 24 hr accessible Town bathroom, permanent
funding for cleaning of showers without using the grant process, and a Case Manager. Left out of our
proposal is the need for an emergency shelter during a weather crisis. We recognize that these needs
cannot be addressed through $25K in funding. However, these are true needs for the Town and we hope
in the months and years to come their study and implementation can be realized.
*Jo Greiner, Pantry St Luke’s
Marna Taylor, Shower Ministry, Los Gatos United Methodist Church
Steve Hall, Ed Lozowicki, Tim O’Rorke & Sue Ahmadian, SVdP, St Marys
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ATTACHMENT 6
PROPOSAL TO SUPPORT UNHOUSED RESIDENTS
Presented to Los Gatos Town Council April 4, 2023
Submitted by members of the Downtown Faith Community: St Vincent de Paul, Los Gatos United
Methodist Church and St Luke’s Episcopal Church
1. Funding to support part-time Town Case Manager (CM) approx $20k-$40K
Need
Unhoused clients ( approximately 20 men and women) in town have a variety of unmet needs that not
only causes personal harm but societal harm as well. A lack of medical and dental care, lack of healthy
food, mental health problems, addictions, no safe housing, lack of personal safety, ongoing threats from
the environment, and difficulty accessing the bureaucracy for assistance leads to:
•clients living in unsafe areas around town
•lack of access to health care that leads to increased visits to the emergency room, increased
costs and more health problems for issues that could have been prevented
•interactions with the police due to untreated mental health conditions and addictions
•clients unable to access county, state and federal services that could remedy many issues
sighted above.
As an example of current conditions, in March 2023, an unhoused resident was severely beaten and
robbed in Town. Members of our faith community brought him to the hospital, secured and paid for 10
nights at a hotel for his convalescence, provided meals and replaced his sleeping bag, tent, clothes,
shoes and ID card. He suffers from mental health issues, which may have lead to his being beaten and
robbed. He still suffers from severe headaches and needs secure housing and regular medical care,
which he cannot begin to tackle without the aid of a regular, trusted, case manager
Case managers can make an enormous impact on the lives of these people. After the January 2023 rain
event, an unhoused resident staying at the temporary Red Cross shelter at Camden Community Center
took advantage of the services offered by a Case Manager on site. This resident secured temporary
housing (a tent) and was put on a waiting list and soon received a Tiny House placement.
Proposed Solution – Case Manager for the Unhoused
Duties of an Outreach CM could include:
•enrolling persons into the HMIS (Homeless Management Information System)
•helping secure benefits such as food stamps, social security and disability insurance
•navigating medical services
•connecting with housing resources including section 8 applications, short term shelters and
emergency shelters. We have been told that without a CM, clients have no chance of securing housing.
Outreach CMs in nearby Communities
In discussions with West Valley Community Health Services (WVCHS) we have learned that cities in
the West Valley area have funded CMs to serve their communities. We estimate that the needs of our
clients could be met with a .25 - .5 FTE CM, at the cost of $20K - $40K, perhaps shared with another
community.
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2. Funding for Cleaning of Showers for the Unhoused -$7,800
Need
Unhoused people without access to showers pose personal hygiene risks, as well as public health
concerns. Multiple health problems result from lack of cleanliness. Unshowered clients resort to using
public water sources and bathrooms to attempt to get clean. When the showers temporarily closed for
3 months in 2019 during COVID, residents and businesses complained that unhoused people were
severely unkept and dirty, and were causing more disturbances due to not being able to access a
shower. At the weekly Shower Ministry at Los Gatos United Methodist Church, clients receive apapp
shower, toiletries, fresh socks and underwear, a bag lunch and laundry vouchers provided by St Vincent
de Paul.
Proposed Solution
For the past 3 years, the town has generously provided partial payment for weekly cleaning the
showers as part of the Shower Ministry for the Unhoused at Los Gatos United Methodist Church. We
initially received funds as part of the town's response to the COVID pandemic. Since 2021 yearly we
have received $4,000 and $5,750 by successfully applying to the Town of Los Gatos Community Grant
Application for Non-profit Organizations.
We request that we no longer be asked to submit a yearly grant and subsequent report, but that due to
the ongoing essential need for weekly showers for the unhoused, the Town provides funding for a full
year as part of the budget process. Cost- $150/week, $7,800 per year
3. Public Restrooms
Need
Currently the Town does not have any public restrooms available downtown. This disproportionately
impacts the unhoused who have no homes, and by definition, no such facilities. This not only causes
individual concerns, but threatens public health and safety. The unhoused, and business customers and
owners would all benefit from public restrooms.
Proposed Solution
We recommend that the Town furnish public restrooms in the downtown area and include funding for
them in the 2023-24 capital budget. Also, as a temporary measure, we recommend the Town
provide portable toilets until permanent restrooms are completed.
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