Greetings, D4 residents -
First, a quick Covid update: Our County residents continue to get vaccinated and keep themselves safe as the Delta variant remains in our midst. As of September 28, 88.7% of Santa Clara County residents 12 and older have received at least one vaccine dose, and 83.7% are completely vaccinated. Thank you for encouraging your family, friends, and neighbors to get their vaccinations!
As vaccine eligibility expands for boosters and younger age groups, our community should continue to follow current best practices and prioritize safety. For information on vaccine and booster eligibility, locations offering vaccines, and testing sites, visit www.sccFreeVax.org.
And now, the fun stuff: On October 31, I will be hosting our second annual D4 in the Neighborhood, this year at Wilson High School in Santa Clara from 11 AM to 2 PM. You’ll find there a variety of family-friendly activities, a neighborhood association pumpkin decorating contest, music, crafts, special guests from other community organizations and – everyone’s favorite – free flu shots! Please stop by this Covid-appropriate, outdoor event to say hello and have some early Halloween fun. Naturally, costumes are encouraged! More details can be found below under the ‘Events’ section of this newsletter.
Board Updates: During September, the Board of Supervisors approved several referrals that I either sponsored or co-sponsored. I’ll share a recap of the action that took place at the September 14 and 28 BOS meetings here, and you can view full recordings on YouTube.
Afghan Refugee Referral
In support of a referral I brought forward in partnership with Supervisor Otto Lee, the Board voted unanimously to increase funding to support resettlement of Afghan refugees in Santa Clara County. The additional funding includes a one-time $750,000 allocation, as well as an additional $65,000 per year for each of the two organizations in the county which are federally approved to handle such resettlement efforts. Thank you for all the hard work that is done by the Jewish Family Services of Silicon Valley and the International Rescue Committee, as well as everyone else in the community who has contributed to these important efforts. I look forward to the ongoing support for our new community members.
You can view the full referral here.
Nurse Retention Referral
On Sept. 18, the Board of Supervisors passed a referral I co-signed with Supervisor Cindy Chavez to ensure that we are prioritizing recruitment, retention, and workplace safety for our health and hospital system workers. As County leaders, we must meet our obligation to provide as safe an environment as possible, especially for the nurses who have shown up with professionalism and compassion for their patients throughout the pandemic. Getting this right for our medical workers is critical to continue to support the health and safety of our residents and can help us chart a path for improvements in our hiring and retention practices for all County employees.
You can view the full referral here.
Short-Term Rental and ADU Usage Report
Also on Sept. 18, the Board voted in favor of another referral I co-signed with Supervisor Otto Lee, which requests a report offering a clear picture of how short-term rentals and ADUs are used in unincorporated areas. Thank you to the Burbank Community Association for your previous engagement on this topic and for educating me and my team regarding the ways in which short-term rentals and ADUs are being used in your neighborhood.
You can view the full referral here.
Eviction Moratorium
California’s statewide eviction moratorium ended on Sept. 30, 2021. If you are at risk of eviction, please apply for emergency rental assistance NOW - do not wait. Submitting an emergency rental assistance application is the best way to protect yourself from eviction after Sept. 30. To apply for rental assistance, you can go to HousingIsKey.com, or call 833-430-2122. If you would like help applying for rent relief, visit one of the City’s Eviction Help Center’s on the 12th floor of City Hall or at the Franklin McKinley School District office. You can also call Eviction Help Center staff at 408-975-4444 for assistance.
New Housing in D4
This month marked the beginning of construction on two exciting new housing developments in District 4. After years of planning and support from a variety of local and state legislators, Agrihood broke ground on a community that will include over 180 below market rate units while fostering a sense of community around a shared agricultural plot on-site. I cannot wait to see this new community thrive while honoring the tradition of growing food here in Santa Clara.
The development at 1710 Moorpark will create over 100 studio units for formerly unhoused individuals. This is made possible by the Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church, which has decided to say YIGBY, or Yes In God’s Backyard, and offered the space to build this community with the ongoing support of the church. I am proud of the community partnerships that made this possible, and I look forward to more creative housing solutions throughout the county.
Youth Volunteer Opportunity
The Santa Clara County Youth Task Force (YTF), founded in 1975, currently has an open seat in District 4 as well as several other throughout the County. The Santa Clara County Youth Task Force is composed of young people, from the ages of 12 to 18, that strive to make a difference. The Task Forces serves as an advisory body to the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors as well as to other policymakers and decision-makers in Santa Clara County to address issues that face young people in the County. Each YTF member shall serve a term of two years, except that a member who is in or entering grade 12 at the time of his or her appointment shall serve a term of one year. A YTF member may serve up to three consecutive terms. A YTF term will start in September and end in August. The YTF meets twice a month on a Tuesday at 5 PM. More information can be found here and applications can be found here.
As we go back to in-person gatherings, please feel free to send an invitation to my office for me to attend your community events. I miss being out in the community with residents and look forward to seeing you all soon.
I and my team are here for you.
Be well,
Susan
