A Message from SV@Home’s Executive Director, Regina Celestin Williams

We are grateful to the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors and all jurisdictions throughout the county who have and will provide proclamations of May as Affordable housing Month. The commitment of our elected leadership in providing these proclamations shows that they believe, as I do, that there is strength in housing, which is our theme for this year’s affordable housing month.

Nearly half—44.7%—of Santa Clara County residents rent their homes. These are our teachers, healthcare workers, childcare providers, and neighbors—working families who form the backbone of our communities. But for too many of them, affordable rental housing remains out of reach.

Over 60% of renter households in Santa Clara County are cost-burdened. That means they spend way too much of their income on rent just to keep a roof over their heads. That leaves little for food, healthcare, transportation, or education. This is not sustainable. This is not acceptable.

This housing affordability crisis did not happen overnight, and it will not be solved overnight. But we know what the path forward looks like. The state has set important goals through the Regional Housing Needs Allocation—or RHNA—process. Across Santa Clara County, we must build nearly 73,000 affordable homes by 2031.

And we see the consequences all around us, as the number of people experiencing homelessness continues to rise, even as we continue to invest resources, political will, time and capacity towards building more affordable housing. This is due to the rate at which people are losing their homes is outpacing the rate at which we can produce housing.

Yet even in the face of these challenges, Santa Clara County has led with innovation and resolve.

Measure A is a model for what’s possible when voters, government, and community come together. With over $717 million invested, we’ve created more than 5,000 new apartments and renovated hundreds more across 11 cities. This shows that bold, countywide action works.

Our Homelessness Prevention System is another standout. Since 2017, it has helped over 17,000 residents avoid homelessness. With just $6,119 per household, the program has had an incredible impact. A rigorous study found that participants were 81% less likely to become homeless within six months. Every dollar invested yields $2.47 in public benefit—proving that prevention is not only compassionate, but cost-effective.

But we’re not done yet. More than 10,000 affordable homes are currently in the pipeline. We must work with local and state partners to get those homes built—and preserved. And we must do more:

• Produce deeply affordable housing.
• Preserve the affordable units we already have.
• Protect renters and vulnerable homeowners.
• And prevent homelessness before it begins.

That’s the kind of sustained, multifaceted approach this moment demands.

This year’s Affordable Housing Month theme is Strength In Housing, because housing is more than shelter—it is the foundation of strong, healthy communities. It’s how we ensure that every child, every elder, every neighbor has a place to belong.

Affordable Housing Month isn’t just a celebration. It’s a movement. Together—with SV@Home, with our partners, with residents—we are building that future.

I invite you to visit siliconvalleyathome.org/events to explore the inspiring lineup happening across our county this month. And I invite you to continue imagining with us—a Santa Clara County where everyone has a safe, stable, and affordable place to call home.

Thank you and join the movement!