Safety-Net Groups Seek $1.7M Amid Crisis

Santa Clara County nonprofits that help residents pay rent, keep food on the table and navigate public benefits said this week they are running short of money as demand rises across the South Bay. The Emergency Assistance Network, a coalition of seven agencies coordinated by United Way Bay Area, said it is seeking $1.7 million in emergency support from local governments, donors and the broader community. The group said it needs $900,000 for rental assistance and $800,000 for food support. San José Spotlight reported on May 21 that providers are facing increased demand at the same time federal and county budget cuts are reducing available aid. ### Why are these groups asking for money now? The Emergency Assistance Network said on May 20 that recent government funding cuts and higher costs for food, fuel and housing have left member agencies with less money just as more households are asking for help. KRON4 reported the appeal came from seven Santa Clara County agencies operating together as the network. The coalition said one in four households in the county needs help with housing, child care, health care or food. (sanjosespotlight.com) United Way Bay Area says the network routes residents to the nearest provider by zip code and coordinates fundraising, standards and referrals across the system. Santa Clara County’s Division of Equity and Social Justice says the agencies are meant to prevent homelessness, utility shutoffs and hunger through one-time aid and referrals to programs including Medi-Cal and CalFresh. (kron4.com) ### Which organizations are part of the network? Seven agencies make up the Emergency Assistance Network in Santa Clara County: Community Services Agency, LifeMoves, Sacred Heart Community Services, The Salvation Army, South City Community Services, Sunnyvale Community Services and West Valley Community Services. KRON4 and county resource pages list those agencies as the countywide safety-net partners. (uwba.org) West Valley Community Services says it serves Cupertino, Los Gatos, Monte Sereno, Saratoga and West San Jose, providing food, housing assistance and support services. Sacred Heart Community Services is the coordinating partner for Santa Clara County’s homelessness prevention system, according to the county Office of Supportive Housing. ### What kind of help are families seeking? Santa Clara County says Emergency Assistance Network agencies can provide one-time rent or mortgage help, rental deposits, utility assistance, food pantries and referrals for benefits such as Medi-Cal and CalFresh. (kron4.com) County guidance says assistance levels are limited by available funds and are generally tied to zip code and income eligibility. (wvcommunityservices.org) West Valley Community Services says it offers emergency financial assistance for rent, utilities and other basic needs, along with a food market and a mobile pantry for residents in Los Gatos, Saratoga and West San Jose. Sacred Heart says it has emergency rental assistance available for low-income Santa Clara County residents with past-due rent. ### How does this connect to homelessness prevention? (desj.santaclaracounty.gov) Santa Clara County’s Office of Supportive Housing says the homelessness prevention system is a key part of the county’s community plan to end homelessness. The office says the seven-agency network provides one-time financial assistance to households at imminent risk of losing housing, while Sacred Heart coordinates the broader prevention system. (wvcommunityservices.org) The county says those services can include rent arrears, move-in costs, housing search help, landlord mediation and tenant-rights information. That structure is meant to keep households housed before an eviction or utility shutoff turns into a larger crisis. ### Where can residents and donors go next? Santa Clara County says residents can find Emergency Assistance Network agencies by zip code through county resource pages, and United Way Bay Area says the network connects people to the closest local provider. (osh.santaclaracounty.gov) The coalition’s current appeal asks community members to contact the individual agencies or United Way if they want to help fund rent and food assistance. West Valley Community Services and Sacred Heart Community Services both maintain public intake pages for food and rental assistance, while Santa Clara County’s Social Services Agency directs residents to county benefit applications for Medi-Cal, CalFresh and cash aid. Those programs remain the next stop for households seeking immediate help as the nonprofits continue their fundraising push. (wvcommunityservices.org) (desj.santaclaracounty.gov)