Santa Clara County is preparing for increased challenges related to homelessness after recent federal funding cuts to social safety net programs. The passage of federal legislation H.R. 1 has reduced funding for Medicaid by $1 trillion and for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) by $186 billion. These programs are known locally as Medi-Cal and CalFresh. County officials expect these changes to affect residents who are unhoused or at risk of losing their homes.
Officials say the cuts may force some individuals and families to choose between paying for rent, food, or medication. Deputy County Executive Consuelo Hernandez said the loss of benefits will most affect those already facing difficulties. Idelle Villarreal, a program and policy manager for the County Social Services Agency, estimated that about 5,000 unhoused people in Santa Clara County will be directly affected by the changes to SNAP, which now include stricter work requirements for people experiencing homelessness.
The funding reductions come as the county has reported progress in addressing homelessness. From 2020 to 2024, more than 33,000 people received homelessness prevention assistance, over 23,000 obtained temporary housing or shelter, and nearly 17,500 secured stable housing, according to the latest Community Plan to End Homelessness progress report. County officials say these efforts may be at risk due to fewer resources for emergency shelters, temporary housing, and permanent housing programs…