05 staff report.Hotel Program Funding
PREPARED BY: Katy Nomura
Assistant Town Manager
Reviewed by: Assistant Town Manager and Finance Director
110 E. Main Street Los Gatos, CA 95030 ● (408) 354-6832
www.losgatosca.gov
TOWN OF LOS GATOS
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
MEETING DATE: 02/06/2024
ITEM NO: 5
DATE: February 2, 2024
TO: Mayor and Town Council
FROM: Laurel Prevetti, Town Manager
SUBJECT: Authorize $10,000 from the County of Santa Clara County Grant for
Unhoused Los Gatos Residents to Be Used for the Hotel Program
RECOMMENDATION:
Authorize $10,000 from the County of Santa Clara County grant for unhoused Los Gatos
residents to be used for the Hotel Program.
BACKGROUND:
On January 24, 2023, the Town Council reaffirmed its Strategic Priorities and added a new one
to support the unhoused residents of Los Gatos.
On April 4, 2023, a majority of the Town Council allocated $50,000 to support unhoused
residents. Of those funds, $10,000 was allocated to the Shower Ministry, $20,000 was
allocated to a temporary restroom, and $20,000 was allocated to the Hotel Program to provide
hotel rooms for unhoused residents during instances of extreme weather, unhealthy air quality,
and certain medical needs.
In December 2023, the Town received a $50,000 grant from Santa Clara County (County) to use
towards support for unhoused Los Gatos residents. Supervisor Simitian worked with the Town
Manager’s Office to create the proposal in light of the Town’s $50,000 investment in services
for unhoused residents. While initial discussions regarding the grant indicated the funds would
be used for case management for the unhoused, the County has confirmed the funds can be
used for any support services for residents experiencing homelessness. Grant funds must be
expended by the Town by June 30, 2024 and are one-time funds.
PAGE 2 OF 3 SUBJECT: Funding for Hotel Program for Unhoused Residents DATE: February 2, 2024
DISCUSSION:
The Hotel Program (Program) launched in December 2023. The Program is only available to
regular members of our unhoused community who actively participate in the Food Pantry and
Shower Ministries hosted by the faith community. Currently, there are 19 people that may
participate and are on a pre-screened list that is managed by the faith community.
Since launching, the Program has activated for 15 nights due to weather related events and had
one qualifying medical stay, resulting in 145 rooms booked total over the course of the
program. Of the 19 individuals that may participate, 14 have utilized the Program. Participants
have expressed sincere gratitude for the shelter provided during inclement weather. The
Program has been a success in large part due to support from the faith community, dedicated
Town staff, and our hotel partners which include the Los Gatos Lodge, the Garden Inn, and the
Best Western.
While the Program has strict criteria to reserve funding for the most extreme conditions, the
high utilization has depleted the $20,000 allocated to the Program. With less than $200
remaining, the Program would not be able to support additional nights of activation without
additional funds. Staff estimates that an additional $10,000 could be sufficient to cover the
remainder of the rainy season depending on weather conditions.
Given that the Town has already received $50,000 in grant funding from the County to support
residents experiencing homelessness, it is recommended to use $10,000 of these grant funds
towards the Hotel Program. The remaining $40,000 in grant funds will still be used towards
case management for unhoused residents. Staff is also pursuing the possibility of an additional
$5,000 in grant funding specifically for the Hotel Program. If staff is successful in securing this
additional grant, the funds from the County grant will be replenished by $5,000, leaving
$45,000 available for case management.
CONCLUSION:
Staff recommends that the Council authorize $10,000 from the County of Santa Clara County
grant for unhoused Los Gatos Residents to be used for the Hotel Program.
COORDINATION:
The preparation of this report was coordinated between the Town Manager’s Office and the
Finance Department.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The $50,000 for the County grant has already been received and no additional budget
allocation is needed for this action.
PAGE 3 OF 3 SUBJECT: Funding for Hotel Program for Unhoused Residents DATE: February 2, 2024
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT:
This is not a project defined under CEQA, and no further action is required.