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2012 B4: Good Neighbor Program: Encampment Cleanup*

About This Project

This project supports the Valley Water’s ongoing coordination with local cities and agencies to clean up large creekside encampments that contaminate waterways and damage Valley Water facilities. This cooperative effort includes local police departments, social services, and nonprofit advocacy groups that help provide alternatives to homelessness.

*This project was voter approved as part of the Safe, Clean Water and Natural Flood Protection Program.

Illegal Encampment
Datapoints
Status
On Target
Location
Countywide
Schedule
Start FY 2014 / Finish FY 2028
Funding
Safe, Clean Water Fund ($15.7 million)
News and UpdatesNews and Updates
Reports and DocumentsReports and Documents
Environmental and Community BenefitsEnvironmental and Community Benefits
History and BackgroundHistory and Background
News & Updates

Fiscal Year (FY) 2021, through Quarter 3 (July 1, 2020 - March 31, 2021)

  • Due to COVID-19 pandemic 17 encampment sites were cleaned up through FY21 Q3.

  • The Center for Disease Control guidance suspended homeless encampment abatements until further notice is received that it is safe for all involved to proceed. Local agencies, including Valley Water ceased encampment cleanups with the exception of a threat or endangerment to health and/or safety to unsheltered individuals or the general public.

Updated April 2021

For more information:

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Environmental & Community Benefits

Key Performance Indicator for the Safe, Clean Water program 

  1. Perform 52 annual cleanups for the duration of the Safe, Clean Water Program to reduce the amount of trash and pollutants entering the streams.

Benefits

  • Reduces trash and other pollutant loads in surface water, including streams, reservoirs and wetlands

  • Improves the aesthetics of creeks in neighborhoods and parks

  • Coordinates efforts among multiple agencies to create lasting solutions

Geographic Area of Benefit 

Countywide 

    History & Background

    About the Safe, Clean Water and Natural Flood Protection Program

    In November 2012 the voters of Santa Clara County overwhelmingly approved Measure B, the Safe, Clean Water and Natural Flood Protection Program, as a countywide special parcel tax for 15 years with a sunset date of June 30, 2028. This Program replaced the Clean, Safe Creeks and Natural Flood Protection Plan, which voters approved in November 2000.

    The Safe, Clean Water Program was developed with input from more than 16,000 residents and stakeholders and was created to match the community’s needs and values. The voters of Santa Clara County identified five priorities:

    Priority A: Ensure a Safe, Reliable Water Supply

    Priority B: Reduce Toxins, Hazards and Contaminants in our Waterways

    Priority C: Protect our Water Supply from Earthquakes and Natural Disasters

    Priority D: Restore Wildlife Habitat and Provide Open Space

    Priority E: Provide Flood Protection to Homes, Businesses, Schools and Highways

    Other: Six projects from the Clean, Safe, Creeks Plan have been carried forward into the Safe, Clean Water Program.  

    Each year, Valley Water prepares a report providing a progress update for each of these Program priorities, along with fiscal year accomplishments.

    To ensure transparency and accountability to the voters, the ballot measure also created an Independent Monitoring Committee, appointed by the Santa Clara Valley Water District Board of Directors. The Independent Monitoring Committee annually reviews the Program’s progress to ensure the outcomes are achieved in a cost-efficient manner and reports its findings to the Board.

    In addition, the Program requires three independent audits, the first of which was conducted in FY 2017.

    View the Safe, Clean Water Program’s annual reports, annual IMC audit reports, and independent audits, including a staff response, on the Valley Water website.