Unhoused Community Support

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Homelessness is a concern throughout the Bay Area. One of our City Council's strategic priorities is to support Sunnyvale’s unhoused community. To help, the council authorized hiring a Homeless Services Manager. This manager will coordinate programs and partners to expand our services for unhoused residents.

Current Actions

We partner with public and nonprofit agencies to help prevent homelessness. These partners also provide services to unhoused residents in our community.

The City also helps fund these agencies, initiatives and programs:

Nonprofit agency HomeFirst contacts unhoused community members in Sunnyvale. They identify these residents' needs and help them access services and housing.
Sunnyvale Community Services and other nonprofit agencies help prevent homelessness. Services and resources include meals, counseling, legal help and mentorship.
WorkFirst Sunnyvale is a collaboration between Downtown Streets Team and Sunnyvale Community Services. This program provides employment and basic needs services.
The Tenant Based Rental Assistance program provides housing subsidies to people exiting homelessness. It can serve up to 40 households with two-year housing subsidies. Sunnyvale Community Services administers the program.

We are also directly addressing homelessness with these initiatives:

Investigate Potential Locations, Funding and Outreach for Overnight Warming Centers in the City of Sunnyvale During Inclement Weather (Council Study Issue OCM 22-02)
Evaluate a Pilot Program for Universal Basic Income Including Potential Funding Sources (Council Study Issue CDD 22-07)
Establishment of a Safe RV Parking Program (2020 Housing Strategy)
Evaluate Existing and Potential Emergency Housing and Shelter Opportunities for Families with Minor Children Experiencing Homelessness (Council Study Issue CDD 23-05)

I am unhoused. What should I do?

Here4You Hotline – Contact this hotline. It centralizes referrals to temporary housing programs.
408-385-2400
Call Center Hours: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Serves singles, couples and families
Matches people to emergency shelter and provides transportation to the shelter
Directs people seeking rental assistance to Homeless Prevention Services
Makes referrals to other community resources

Sunnyvale Community Services
408-738-4321
1160 Kern Ave.
Office Hours: Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to noon, 12:30 to 4 p.m. (closed noon to 12:30 p.m.)

Distributes food
Provides rental and other financial help

Downtown Streets Team
Trinity Church, 477 N. Mathilda Ave.
Team Meetings: Tuesdays at noon

Provides case management
Supports finding employment
Makes referrals to other community resources

Our Daily Bread
St. Thomas Episcopal Church, 231 Sunset Ave.
Meals Served: Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Serves free hot meals three days a week

I may become unhoused. What should I do?

If you are at risk of becoming unhoused, contact the Homeless Prevention System. This network of nonprofit organizations assists low-income residents of Santa Clara County. They can help determine if you qualify for services.

You can also contact Sunnyvale Community Services, a nonprofit serving the Sunnyvale community. They are part of the Homeless Prevention System network.

Homeless Prevention System, 408-926-8885, info@preventhomelessness.org

Sunnyvale Community Services, 408-738-4321, info@svcommunityservices.org

How is the City helping unhoused residents?

Our goal is to find interim or permanent housing for Sunnyvale’s unhoused residents. The City helps unhoused residents through our nonprofit partner, HomeFirst. They have trained case managers with the expertise to assist the homeless. Case managers will contact unhoused residents to build relationships and trust. HomeFirst will also help unhoused residents access resources specific to their needs. This can include toiletries and food or medical, transportation and financial resources.

The City has also secured a limited number of shelter beds at a shelter managed by HomeFirst. The shelter is located at the agency’s Boccardo Reception Center in San Jose. While we hope unhoused residents accept offers of shelter, they are not required to do so.

The City has cleaned up public areas where homeless are living due to health and safety concerns. By law, we must provide advance notice about the cleanups at these locations. We must also store any personal property left behind for 90 days.

I have a concern about homelessness. What should I do?

Sleeping in a vehicle: It is not illegal for a person to sleep in their vehicle. But, vehicle owners and operators must follow all traffic and parking laws. For example:

Your vehicles must be operable and registered with the California Department of Motor Vehicles.
Vehicles cannot be parked or left standing on a street or highway for more than 72 hours. This includes cars, trucks, vans and RVs.

If you see these violations, complete an Abandoned Vehicle report.

Using a City park after hours: The City’s municipal code prohibits entering or remaining in City parks when they are closed.

If you see this violation, call our non-emergency dispatch number at 408-730-7180.

Criminal activity: If you see any criminal activity underway, immediately call 911. This includes seeing someone using narcotics, consuming alcohol, vandalizing, trespassing on private property, or behaving in a way that poses a threat to public safety.

Other concerns about unhoused residents: Complete a Neighborhood Complaint report (select Homeless/Unhoused in the “Issue” dropdown menu).

Related Programs

Housing Strategy – Learn how we’re increasing affordable housing stock and improving housing affordability in Sunnyvale.

Housing Programs – Learn about the City’s affordable housing and human services programs to assist residents with lower and moderate incomes or special needs.

Study Issues – Find information about and status of active and proposed Study Issues.