I joined LifeMoves in April of this year with the charge to dramatically improve the homeless situation in Silicon Valley. Already, LifeMoves is the largest shelter system for homelessness in Silicon Valley, with 26 sites from Half Moon Bay to San Jose, and yet the need in our communities is growing.

The pandemic has impacted us all but has been especially devastating to those most vulnerable among us. Rent relief and eviction moratoriums have helped many, but these programs will end, and the challenges will become even greater. Soon, we will see even more of our neighbors on the streets.

Homelessness is not an insurmountable challenge, and it can be solved. LifeMoves has a cost-efficient, effective model, and we are raising our hand to do more. We need your support to do more as well. With the greatest collection of wealth and innovation in history, we need to demonstrate to the nation and the world that Silicon Valley can meaningfully and visibly make an impact. Together, we can end homelessness.

LifeMoves recently opened a new facility in Mountain View and completed its construction in six months. It was a collaborative effort between the state of California, the City of Mountain View, LifeMoves, and individual philanthropists and corporate donors, including LinkedIn and Google. The cost of this site to build and operate for five years is $25M, including the land. This site is already housing 120+ individuals and families. We were able to develop this new site quickly, utilizing cost-efficient modular units. They are comfortable and dignified housing for our neighbors until they can secure permanent housing. LifeMoves services and programs will enable 69% of individuals and 89% of families to return to permanent housing within 90 to 120 days. The LifeMoves system works.

On the day we unveiled the new Mountain View site with Governor Gavin Newsom, Mountain View Mayor Ellen Kamei, and Santa Clara Supervisor Joe Simitian, I asked the Silicon Valley community to join LifeMoves in committing to building 10 more of these sites at a cost of $250M. If we achieve this goal in the coming years, we can cut our current homeless population in half. We have the playbook to site and build modular units quickly and help the unhoused secure exits from homelessness. However, we need help. We need the corporate and philanthropic community, as well as our current and new, generous donors. We need local, state, and federal assistance as well. If we cannot solve homelessness in Silicon Valley – the home of innovation and one of the largest wealth creations in history – where can we do it?

In short, we need heroes. We need leaders in Silicon Valley to raise their hands and join LifeMoves in our attempt to stem the tide of homelessness. We have the formula, we have the playbook, we have the will, we have the skill...now we need the land and the resources. I call on anyone who can help us bring more of these quick-strike, modular housing solutions to join us.

I know Silicon Valley is full of visionary leaders with big hearts. You are all changing the world, creating generational wealth, and doing so much good. Join LifeMoves and help us try to eradicate homelessness in your front yard. Email me at amerriman@lifemoves.org, and let’s get to work in building your legacy to end homelessness.

I look forward to working with you.

More information:
LIfeMoves site: http://www.lifemoves.org
The LifeMoves playbook: http://www.lifemoves.org/playbook
LifeMoves Mountain View: https://www.lifemoves.org/homekey/