HomeMy WebLinkAbout01 26 2026 Public Comment - Gilroy Encampment on city land - Maria AguilarCAUTION: This email originated from an External Source. Please use proper judgment and caution when opening
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From:Maria Aguilar
To:All Council Members
Cc:Public Comments
Subject:EXTERNAL - Gilroy Encampment on city land
Date:Sunday, January 25, 2026 11:30:20 PM
While other cities (Morgan Hill, Hollister, Watsonville, San Jose to name a few) have moved
forward in implementing viable unhoused solutions- the city of Gilroy passed an ordinance
that centers on abatement, spending several hundred thousands on two quality of life officers
and garbage pickup.
Abatement that to this day on a regular basis brings residents/business owners to speak before
city council about piles of trash, tents in parks/fires people roaming in their space and the
overall "unsafe" that this projects.
After Valley Water dismantled the two encampments (after three years) they did not extend
the time, because we didn’t have a plan in place. I spoke with several downtown business
owners who were alarmed about the increase of unhoused walking downtown- they wondered
what had changed- many were unaware about the encampments. Which brings us to where we
are, the encampment that has existed since November on city land. Folks there have kept the
area clean, there have been no complaints from residents or altercations reported by the quality
of life officers. Service providers have been able to provide services, keep track of folks that
can be provided with housing and other life saving services. The County of Santa Clara, under
the guidance of our representative Sylvia Arenas has done an outstanding job in securing
permanent housing for at least 50 folks from Gilroy. We need to continue this partnership. I
respectfully ask that you allow the encampment for three months and reasess at that time.
Thank you
Maria Aguilar
On behalf of the Gilroy Union of the Homeless
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