Safety-net groups face pandemic-level strain

United Way Bay Area and seven Santa Clara County nonprofits said on May 20 that rising demand for food, rent and other basic-needs help is colliding with cuts in public funding. The groups, operating through the Emergency Assistance Network, said they are seeking emergency donations to keep families housed and fed. Their appeal covers West San Jose and the rest of the county through agencies including West Valley Community Services and Sacred Heart Community Service. Santa Clara County’s own proposed 2026-27 budget, released May 1, described deep federal cuts to healthcare and food assistance as a major source of fiscal pressure. ### Which groups are saying the safety net is under strain? The Emergency Assistance Network said seven agencies are making the appeal: Community Services Agency, LifeMoves, Sacred Heart Community Services, The Salvation Army, South City Community Services, Sunnyvale Community Services and West Valley Community Services. KRON reported the groups went public with the request on May 20. United Way Bay Area says it coordinates the network in Santa Clara County. (kron4.com) West Valley Community Services serves Los Gatos, Monte Sereno, Cupertino, Saratoga and West San Jose, according to county and nonprofit resource pages. Sacred Heart Community Service says it operates one of the largest sites in the Santa Clara County Homelessness Prevention System, which helps low-income households stay housed through temporary financial aid, legal support and case management. (kron4.com) ### How much money are the nonprofits asking for? The network said it needs $900,000 to prevent evictions and homelessness and another $800,000 for food assistance. KRON reported the request as agencies described rising demand and fewer available resources. Combined, that amounts to $1.7 million in immediate need. The County of Santa Clara says the network’s role is to prevent homelessness, utility disconnections and hunger. (help.sengov.com) County materials say aid is tied to available funds and can include one-time rent or mortgage payments, move-in costs, utility help, food pantries and referrals to benefits such as Medi-Cal and CalFresh. ### What is driving the pressure now? (kron4.com) KRON reported that the agencies tied the new appeal to increasing demand, fewer resources and higher prices for food, fuel and housing. The same report said one in four households in Santa Clara County needs help with housing, child care, health care or food. County Executive James R. Williams said on May 1 that Santa Clara County’s recommended 2026-27 budget was shaped by “unprecedented federal funding reductions.” The county said the $14.7 billion plan starts with a nearly $800 million deficit and that the shortfall is projected to exceed $1 billion next year, driven largely by federal funding losses in healthcare and food assistance, slower property-tax growth and rising operating costs. (desj.santaclaracounty.gov) (kron4.com) Second Harvest of Silicon Valley said on May 19 that 96% of respondents in a new client survey were cutting back on food to afford rent, utilities and healthcare. That survey was separate from the Emergency Assistance Network appeal, but it described the same cost pressures hitting low-income households across the region. (news.santaclaracounty.gov) ### Where does West San Jose fit into this countywide picture? West Valley Community Services is one of the seven agencies in the network and one of the main providers serving West San Jose. Its service area also includes Cupertino, Saratoga, Los Gatos and Monte Sereno. The organization says it offers emergency financial assistance and housing-stability support to county residents who are low-income and at risk of homelessness. (shfb.org) Sacred Heart Community Service, based in San Jose, says it is a major access point for housing and financial assistance in the countywide homelessness prevention system. That makes the current funding appeal broader than a single neighborhood, even though West San Jose providers are among the groups warning of strain. ### What happens next for families seeking help? (kron4.com) Santa Clara County says residents can seek help through the Emergency Assistance Network based on ZIP code, with services including food aid, rent and mortgage assistance, utility help and referrals. West Valley Community Services directs eligible residents to the countywide Homelessness Prevention System hotline and intake process. (sacredheartcs.org) The next public milestone is the county budget process for fiscal 2026-27, which follows the May 1 release of Williams’ recommended plan. At the same time, the Emergency Assistance Network said donors can give through the individual nonprofits or through United Way Bay Area as the agencies try to close the $1.7 million gap. (news.santaclaracounty.gov) (desj.santaclaracounty.gov)