HomeMy WebLinkAbout03 16 2026 Item 9.2 - Housing Element - Dan DonovanCAUTION: This email originated from an External Source. Please use proper judgment and caution when opening
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From:Dan Donovan
To:Public Comments
Subject:EXTERNAL - Comment - March 16, 2026, Gilroy City Council Meeting, Item 9.2
Date:Saturday, March 14, 2026 9:40:50 AM
The City of Gilroy's existing housing stock is extraordinarily challenging for elderly, disabled
and other working-class residents to find and retain an affordable place to live and provide for
basic necessities. The city staff's "Housing Element Annual Progress Report" lacks any
provision for new units for the acutely and extremely low-income household categories. These
categories are defined as having a 4-person, household income up to $29,300 for acutely low-
income and $60,250 for extremely low-income.
The City of Gilroy has more unhoused and at risk individuals and families than available,
affordable residential units. Council members' and the mayor's statements have publicly
acknowledged that housing for the poor, including the unhoused, is a difficult problem. In that
context, I hope we can agree that the City of Gilroy needs an "all of the above" strategy.
Community Development Block Grants are insufficient to fund more than a couple of
existing-unit rehabs annually. Every source of funding must be explored. While it has been
discussed by a previous council and dismissed, I encourage the current Mayor and City
Council to direct staff to investigate and propose a process for applying to the State of
California for Gilroy's inclusion in the Prohousing Designation Program.
Thank you.
--
Dan Donovan
2611 Club Drive
Gilroy, CA 95020-3027
Mobile/Google Voice: +1 408-846-9014