Safety-Net Services Facing Severe Strain

South Bay nonprofits said on May 21 that demand for food and rental assistance is rising across Santa Clara County as federal and county funding tightens. San José Spotlight reported that the Emergency Assistance Network, a collaboration of local nonprofits led by United Way Bay Area, is warning of a widening gap in money available to keep families housed. West Valley Community Services and Sacred Heart Community Service were among the groups cited as facing heavier caseloads as residents seek help with rent, groceries and other basic needs. County and nonprofit resource pages show both organizations continue to provide food and housing-related assistance, including eviction-prevention support. ### Which groups are saying the safety net is under pressure? United Way Bay Area coordinates the Emergency Assistance Network in Santa Clara County, a long-running partnership of nonprofits that provide food aid, financial assistance and homelessness-prevention services. The network includes Sacred Heart Community Service, West Valley Community Services, Sunnyvale Community Services, Bill Wilson Center and other local agencies, according to the Homelessness Prevention System and United Way pages. (sanjosespotlight.com) San José Spotlight reported on May 21 that those providers are confronting increased demand while public funding shrinks. The article said the network is calling for community support as agencies try to cover rent gaps and emergency needs for families at risk of eviction. ### What do the numbers show about need in Santa Clara County? United Way Bay Area’s Emergency Assistance Network impact report says one in four households in Santa Clara County struggles to meet basic needs such as housing, child care, food, health care and transportation. (uwba.org) The same report says 37% of children live in households at risk of food insecurity and 99,426 households spend 50% or more of their income on housing. (sanjosespotlight.com) The network’s fiscal 2024 report says 30,873 households received food assistance and 11.8 million meals were provided during the year ended June 30, 2024. United Way Bay Area’s county data page separately says 221,436 households in Santa Clara County are housing burdened, meaning they spend more than 30% of income on rent. ### How are West Valley and Sacred Heart responding? West Valley Community Services says it serves Cupertino, Los Gatos, Monte Sereno, Saratoga and West San Jose with food, housing assistance and support services for low-income and homeless residents. (uwba.org) Its public service pages say the group offers one-time emergency financial assistance for rent, move-in deposits, mortgages and utility bills, subject to eligibility and available resources. Sacred Heart Community Service says it has funding for emergency rental assistance for past-due rent for low-income Santa Clara County residents, in addition to help available through the countywide Homelessness Prevention System. Its rental-assistance page says applicants are screened by income and zip code and are not asked about immigration status. ### How does the countywide eviction-prevention system work? The Santa Clara Homelessness Prevention System says it is co-led by the county Office of Supportive Housing, Destination: Home and Sacred Heart Community Service. (wvcommunityservices.org) The program says it serves low-income county residents who are currently housed but at risk of losing housing within about 14 days, including people who cannot pay upcoming rent or who have received an eviction notice. (sacredheartcs.org) The Homelessness Prevention System says applicants can call, email or contact one of 19 partner agencies for a pre-screening. Its partner list includes Sacred Heart Community Service, West Valley Community Services, Sunnyvale Community Services, Community Services Agency of Mountain View and Los Altos, and other nonprofits across Santa Clara County. ### Where can residents look for help now? Santa Clara County’s Division of Equity and Social Justice lists agencies offering rent, food and other basic-needs assistance, including the Emergency Assistance Network by zip code, Sacred Heart Community Service in San Jose and other nonprofit providers. (preventhomelessness.org) United Way Bay Area also directs residents to its help portal for housing, food, shelter, child care and legal referrals. Sacred Heart Community Service says residents seeking rental aid can contact its San Jose office for screening, while West Valley Community Services says residents in its service area can apply for pantry and emergency financial assistance. The Homelessness Prevention System says eligibility is determined by partner agencies and that pre-screening generally takes one to two hours. (sacredheartcs.org) (desj.santaclaracounty.gov)