Redwood City has received $2.85 million in state funding—its second grant from the Encampment Resolution Funding (ERF) program—to help people living in homeless encampments find housing and support services. This grant will continue the City’s outreach efforts, provide temporary and permanent housing assistance and improve health and safety in areas where encampments exist.
“We are grateful to Governor Newsom and the State of California for this continued support to reduce the impact of encampments in our community,” said Redwood City Mayor, Elmer Martinez Saballos. “This second round of funding will allow us to build on our past success, expand outreach and provide more housing support to help unhoused residents transition into stable homes.”
The ERF grant will be used to support three key efforts:
- Outreach and case management – The City will continue partnering with local homeless service providers, which include case managers and housing specialists who work directly with people living in encampments. These providers help individuals access housing, mental health and substance use services and other critical support.
- Housing assistance – Funding will provide temporary housing subsidies and other financial support to help people transition from encampments into stable housing. This includes hotel respite programs, move-in and rental assistance and incentives for landlords to rent to those experiencing homelessness.
- Encampment clean-ups and waste services – The City will continue efforts to improve conditions in areas where encampments exist, focusing on public health and safety. This includes removing trash and hazardous materials and restoring public spaces.Redwood City successfully utilized its first $1.84 million ERF grant that was awarded in 2022 for similar programs, helping many unhoused residents transition to safer living situations and end their homelessness. With state help, the number of people without shelter in Redwood City went down 23% over the last year, while numbers increased by 18% countywide. This new funding will focus on resolving encampments at the intersection of Highway 101 and Highway 84, Woodside Road and Seaport Boulevard.
Additionally, the City is studying the prospect of adopting an anti-camping ordinance. An ad hoc committee of the City Council is expected to make recommendations for City Council consideration in late spring.
The funding comes as Governor Gavin Newsom strengthens accountability measures for homelessness funding and introduces a new statewide dashboard to track local progress. The Governor’s announcement highlights the need for measurable outcomes and greater transparency in how state grants are used. Read more here.
For more information about Redwood City’s efforts to address homelessness, visit www.RedwoodCity.org/Homelessness.
About the City of Redwood City
The City of Redwood City is a San Francisco Bay Area community located in the heart of Silicon Valley, the technology-rich region extending from the San Francisco Peninsula to the foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains. Redwood City is the third largest city within the County of San Mateo, with 85,992 residents. The city enjoys an average of 255 sunny days a year, which it boasts via the city slogan: “Climate Best by Government Test”. Incorporated in 1867, Redwood City is home to the San Mateo County History Museum (located in the county’s old courthouse) and the only active deep water port within the south bay of San Francisco. The city’s vibrant downtown, quickly becoming known as the entertainment hub of the San Francisco Peninsula, offers residents, visitors and businesses a unique retail, entertainment and restaurant experience.