What would it take to end homelessness in San Mateo County?
It starts with ensuring that everyone who wants assistance has a place to live – along with services and supports. The County has set an urgent goal of doing just that.
Using a combination of federal and state funds, the County has been purchasing hotels and similar buildings to convert into temporary and permanent housing. (It takes longer and costs more to build new housing than to convert existing buildings.)
These properties add to the county’s existing shelter and supportive housing options.
Yet addressing the issues that cause homelessness takes ongoing investments: counseling, case management, trauma services and much more. Properties need upgrades and ongoing maintenance.
Measure K funds are a key source of funding in these efforts.
In the 2022-23 fiscal year, this included operations at:
COAST HOUSE: A 51-room hotel conversion for families, couples and individuals in Half Moon Bay.
SHORES LANDING. A 95-room hotel conversion for permanent housing for formerly homeless seniors in Redwood City.
SAFE HARBOR. A 90-bed congregate shelter in South San Francisco.
WEHOPE. A 113-bed congregate emergency shelter in East Palo Alto.
MAPLE STREET SHELTER. A congregate shelter in Redwood City that closed in April 2023 (funding is being transferred to support ongoing operations at San Mateo County’s first Navigation Center, a new non-congregate shelter in Redwood City).
In addition, Measure K funds support a portion of the homeless outreach services provided by LifeMoves, a local nonprofit agency. This work involves teams who meet with individuals and families experiencing homelessness to provide practical support,
information and referrals, including connecting households to shelter, permanent housing programs and needed services.
HOUSING AND HOMELESSNESS 2022-23 FISCAL YEAR
578 unduplicated clients received homeless outreach and engagement services
167 unduplicated clients received case management services
296 clients who received case management moved into interim or other temporary destinations