07 staff report.Hotel Program Funding
PREPARED BY: Katy Nomura
Assistant Town Manager
Reviewed by: Town Manager, Town Attorney, 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: 03/05/2024 ITEM NO: 7
DATE: February 28, 2024
TO: Mayor and Town Council
FROM: Laurel Prevetti, Town Manager
SUBJECT: Authorize an Additional $10,000 from the County of Santa Clara County Grant
for Unhoused Los Gatos Residents to Be Used for the Hotel Program
RECOMMENDATION:
Authorize an additional $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. This addition was reaffirmed on February 13,
2024.
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 28, 2024
BACKGROUND (continued):
On February 6, 2024, the Town Council authorized $10,000 of the County grant to be used for
the Hotel Program.
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 19 nights due to weather related events and had
two qualifying medical stays, resulting in 189 total rooms booked 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 Town Council, 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 a hotel room only for the most extreme
conditions, the high utilization depleted the original $20,000 allocated to the Program and has
almost exhausted the $10,000 from the County grant allocated on February 6, 2024. With
approximately $3,600 remaining, the Program would be able to support two additional nights
of activation. With more rain on the way, staff anticipates these remaining nights will be used
in the coming weeks and recommends allocating an additional $10,000 from the County grant
to the Hotel Program. The remaining $30,000 in grant funds, and any unused funds from the
Hotel Program, 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.
Staff will continue to monitor weather conditions and are handling funding requests
incrementally, only when needed. An update to Council on the Hotel Program is tentatively
scheduled for March 19, 2024 to allow for further discussion and direction.
CONCLUSION:
Staff recommends that the Council authorize an additional $10,000 from the County of Santa
Clara County grant for unhoused Los Gatos Residents to be used for the Hotel Program.
PAGE 3 OF 3 SUBJECT: Funding for Hotel Program for Unhoused Residents DATE: February 28, 2024
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.
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT:
This is not a project defined under CEQA, and no further action is required.