South Bay Safety-Net Services Strained

The Emergency Assistance Network, a coalition of Santa Clara County nonprofits led by United Way Bay Area, said on May 21 that demand for food, rent and utility help is rising as funding shrinks. San José Spotlight reported the network is facing reduced federal and county support at the same time families are returning for help at levels service providers compare to the pandemic period. West Valley Community Services and Sacred Heart Community Service were among the groups cited as seeking urgent community funding. The network said the shortfall could leave more households at risk of eviction, hunger and loss of health coverage. ### Which groups are saying the strain is getting worse? West Valley Community Services and Sacred Heart Community Service are two of the best-known providers in the county’s emergency-aid system. West Valley Community Services says it serves low-income and unhoused residents in Cupertino, Saratoga, Los Gatos, Monte Sereno and West San Jose with food, housing assistance and support services. Sacred Heart says it serves tens of thousands of families each year with food, clothing and financial assistance programs in Santa Clara County. (sanjosespotlight.com) The Emergency Assistance Network itself is a long-running countywide system. United Way Bay Area describes it as a network that provides emergency services including food, rental assistance and emergency funding, while Santa Clara County says its agencies work to prevent homelessness, utility shutoffs and hunger. ### Where is the pressure showing up first? West Valley Community Services says it offers emergency financial assistance for rent and utilities to prevent evictions and shutoffs. (wvcommunityservices.org) The organization also runs a food market and other support programs for residents in its service area. Sacred Heart Community Service says it has emergency rental assistance for low-income Santa Clara County residents with past-due rent, alongside weekly food distribution and clothing support. (uwba.org) Its food program is currently open countywide, according to the organization’s website. San José Spotlight reported that providers say families are again struggling with basic bills at levels that resemble the COVID-19 emergency period. (wvcommunityservices.org) The outlet said leaders warned that rising costs and funding cuts are colliding in the same households that rely on these programs to stay housed and fed. ### What is driving the funding squeeze? Santa Clara County said in a February budget announcement that federal funding changes were already straining the county budget through reduced revenue and higher operating costs, especially in the public hospital and healthcare system. (sacredheartcs.org) Board President Otto Lee said at the time the adjustments were a response to federal cuts affecting healthcare and basic-needs programs. (sanjosespotlight.com) San José Spotlight tied the nonprofit funding strain directly to those federal and county pressures. The publication reported that the Emergency Assistance Network is confronting a lack of financial assistance because of budget cuts, even as requests for help increase. ### How do residents actually get help? Santa Clara County directs residents to Emergency Assistance Network agencies by ZIP code. (news.santaclaracounty.gov) The county’s Office of Immigrant Relations says the network offers help aimed at stabilizing families during emergencies and returning them to self-sufficiency. West Valley Community Services says residents at risk of eviction or utility shutoff can seek one-time emergency financial assistance through its programs, and it also refers eligible county residents to the Homelessness Prevention System at preventhomelessness.org. (sanjosespotlight.com) Sacred Heart says its rental-aid program is available to low-income county residents in specified ZIP codes and that applicants are not asked about immigration status. (desj.santaclaracounty.gov) ### What happens next for these providers? The May 21 appeal from the Emergency Assistance Network was a public call for community support as agencies try to close a funding gap reported at more than $1.7 million. San José Spotlight said the warning came from local nonprofit leaders who argued that without new money, more families could face eviction, hunger and disruptions to healthcare coverage. (wvcommunityservices.org) United Way Bay Area and the county’s Emergency Assistance Network pages remain the main public directories for residents seeking aid, while West Valley Community Services and Sacred Heart continue taking applications for food and housing-related assistance through their current program pages. (uwba.org) (sanjosespotlight.com)