Supervisors Talk One-Stop Shop For Homeless In Santa Clara County

SANTA CLARA COUNTY, CA — The Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously today to direct county staff to develop proposals for a one-stop restoration center to address urgent behavioral health needs for the local homeless population.

Supervisor Cindy Chavez asked that staff look into what Santa Clara County can do to create a center based on that of the Roberto L. Jimenez M.D. Restoration Center in San Antonio, Texas.

Chavez said she believed such a center could help the 7 percent of the county's homeless population that is "difficult to house."

Chavez also highlighted the opportunity this may give the county to engage in "family finding" services. She said a lot of families call in after hearing that their relative is in a county jail after not knowing where they have been for an extended period of time.

The board directed the county counsel to return on June 5 with a report that will discuss what elements of the Texas center, which county officials toured in September 2016, would be "applicable and helpful" to the county in regards to location, services and financing.

By Bay City News Service

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