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Santa Clara Family Community
A New Homekey Project Bringing Families Home
The Santa Clara Family Community is a proposed interim housing community designed to help families experiencing homelessness regain stability and move into permanent housing.
Located at the southeast corner of Lawrence Expressway and Benton Street in Santa Clara, the community will provide private living spaces, supportive services, and a safe environment where families can focus on rebuilding their lives without leaving the community they call home.
The project is being developed through a partnership between LifeMoves, the County of Santa Clara, and the City of Santa Clara. Once completed, LifeMoves will operate the site and provide on-site services and support.
Quick Facts
- Location: Southeast corner of Lawrence Expressway and Benton Street, Santa Clara
- Project Type: Interim Housing for Families with Children
- Capacity: Approximately 30 family units serving up to 90 individuals
- Operator: LifeMoves
- Referral Process: Santa Clara County Coordinated Entry System
- Funding: California Homekey Program, County of Santa Clara, City of Santa Clara, and LifeMoves
- Amenities: Private family units, on-site childcare, playground, community spaces, laundry facilities, health and wellness areas, and a dog park
About the Project
The Santa Clara Family Community is designed specifically for families with children who are experiencing homelessness.
The proposed three-story development will include private family units, each with its own bathroom and kitchenette. The site is designed to accommodate families of varying sizes, allowing parents and children to remain together while working toward permanent housing.
Families will have access to laundry services, childcare, outdoor recreation areas, health and wellness spaces, and supportive services that help create a foundation for long-term stability.
The community is intended to be a temporary step on the path to permanent housing, providing families with the resources, support, and stability needed to move forward.
Creating a Safe and Supportive Community
LifeMoves is committed to creating communities where families can focus on rebuilding their lives while fostering a safe, respectful environment for clients, staff, and neighbors.
Our interim housing communities are designed and operated using established best practices that support safety, accountability, and strong day-to-day operations. These include:
- Professional staff on-site 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
- Access to the site will be controlled and monitored.
- On-site parking will be provided.
- Clients will be expected to follow program rules and community standards.
- LifeMoves staff will work closely with City and County partners to address concerns and maintain open communication.
A Community Advisory Committee will be open to all interested community members and is expected to launch before the site opens.
Who Will Be Served?
The Santa Clara Family Community will serve families with minor children who are experiencing homelessness.
Families will be referred through Santa Clara County’s Coordinated Entry System, which prioritizes households based on need and vulnerability.
A local preference will help ensure that families experiencing homelessness in Santa Clara County have an opportunity to remain connected to their schools, jobs, healthcare providers, and support networks while working toward permanent housing.
Each family will be paired with a dedicated case manager who will support them throughout their stay and help them secure permanent housing as quickly as possible.
What Families Will Experience
Every aspect of the Santa Clara Family Community is designed to help families move beyond homelessness and toward long-term stability. In addition to a private living space, families will have access to comprehensive services, supportive resources, and community amenities that help them rebuild their lives, strengthen family well-being, and prepare for permanent housing.
- Private family units with bathrooms and kitchenettes
- Three meals per day
- On-site childcare
- Playground and outdoor gathering areas
- Individualized case management
- Physical and behavioral health services
- Substance use support services
- Employment assistance
- Financial literacy and life skills programs
- Housing navigation and placement support
The goal of the program is not simply to provide shelter, but to help families build a pathway toward long-term housing stability and self-sufficiency.
LifeMoves Track Record
LifeMoves is one of the largest providers of interim housing and supportive services in Silicon Valley. Last year:
of families and couples served through this model moved directly into permanent housing.
0
%
of those households remained housed one year later.
0
%
people were connected from homelessness into interim or permanent housing through outreach efforts.
0
These outcomes reflect LifeMoves’ commitment to evidence-based practices and continuous improvement in helping families achieve lasting housing stability.
Upcoming City Hearing
The City of Santa Clara will hold a public hearing regarding the project’s funding agreement on:
Tuesday, July 14, 2026 at 6:00 p.m.
Additional information about the hearing can be found on the City of Santa Clara website.
Frequently Asked Questions
Interim housing is a short-term housing intervention that provides individuals and families experiencing homelessness with a safe place to stay while they work toward securing permanent housing. Most participants stay for a limited period of time while receiving supportive services and housing assistance.
Traditional shelters often use large congregate sleeping areas and shared restroom facilities. The Santa Clara Family Community will provide private units for each family, allowing parents and children to remain together in a more stable and dignified environment.
The site will serve families with minor children who are experiencing homelessness and have been referred through Santa Clara County’s Coordinated Entry System.
Low-barrier is a term defined by the California Department of Housing and Community Development. It means families are not excluded from shelter because they are unemployed, lack documentation, or face other common barriers to housing. Low-barrier does not mean there are no rules. Residents must follow program expectations, engage with staff, and adhere to community standards. Behavior that threatens the safety of residents, staff, or neighbors is addressed immediately.
The site includes approximately 13 on-site parking spaces for residents and staff, as well as bicycle parking. The project has been designed with traffic circulation and pedestrian safety in mind.
All clients are screened through Santa Clara County’s placement process. The County and LifeMoves follow all applicable laws, regulations, and safety requirements regarding resident eligibility and placement.
The program maintains expectations regarding client behavior and community safety. Staff work closely with clients to address challenges and connect them with services, while behavior that threatens safety is addressed promptly.
Length of stay varies depending on each family’s circumstances and housing needs. The goal is to help families move into permanent housing as quickly as possible while ensuring they have the support needed to remain stable.
Community members will be able to participate in the Community Advisory Committee (CAC), which will provide regular updates, opportunities for dialogue, and information about program outcomes and community impacts.
All referrals come through Santa Clara County’s Coordinated Entry System. Families are prioritized based on need and vulnerability, and placement decisions are not made through direct walk-ins or public referrals.
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