Increased demand strains South Bay service providers - San Jose Spotlight

Emergency assistance providers in Santa Clara County are facing increased demand alongside decreased funding from federal and county budget cuts. A coalition of seven nonprofit organizations coordinates support for residents experiencing food and housing insecurity. The coalition is raising $900,000 for emergency assistance to prevent evictions and homelessness and $800,000 to support food operations. Providers report that clients are lining up for food daily and that food assistance levels have returned to pandemic-era conditions. The coalition says it cannot rely on federal help and is urging local governments, corporations, philanthropies, and individuals to increase support. One in four households struggles to meet basic needs including housing, food, healthcare, transportation, and childcare.

"“Any cut to the financial resources available to these agencies are cuts to families in Santa Clara County,” Escobar said. “They assist clients with rent and it helps prevent evictions. It helps prevent more families living in their cars ... I work with every food bank here in the Bay Area. They have all told me that we are now back at pandemic level era food assistance.”"

"“We have people literally lining up for food every day at our agencies,” Tom Myers, chair of the Emergency Assistance Network, said. “We cannot count on Washington to help provide us with safety net services. So, we are asking you to step up to the plate.”"

"The Emergency Assistance Network is a collaboration of Santa Clara County nonprofits led by United Way. The network provides coordinated support for residents facing food and housing insecurities. The group is trying to raise $900,000 in emergency assistance from local governments, corporations, philanthropies and individuals to prevent evictions and homelessness, and $800,000 in support for food operations to fill the gap."

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