Palo Alto Homeless Find Temporary Shelter in Sunnyvale Hotel

Nonprofit LifeMoves operates the bridge program to house residents until new Homekey site opens.

Published on Feb. 21, 2026

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Dozens of homeless residents from Palo Alto have been moved into interim housing at a hotel in Sunnyvale, operated by nonprofit LifeMoves with support from Palo Alto and Santa Clara County. The program aims to shelter people until the new Homekey site with 88 units of interim housing opens in late spring. Residents like Paul and Sheryl appreciate the privacy, kitchen, and other amenities the hotel rooms provide compared to crowded shelters.

Why it matters

Palo Alto's homeless population, mostly living in vehicles or RVs, has been a growing concern for the city, with residents and businesses complaining about health and safety issues. This bridge program helps address the immediate need for shelter while the longer-term Homekey project is completed.

The details

The Sunnyvale hotel program was chosen for its capacity and layout, with only a few buildings used for interim housing. Residents can be referred through the county's coordinated entry program and have access to case management, though it's not mandatory. The program is geared toward longtime Palo Alto residents who have struggled to find housing, and the city is providing transportation assistance for those who need to commute to Palo Alto for work, school, or appointments.

  • The program launched in mid-December 2026.
  • The Homekey Palo Alto project with 88 units of interim housing is expected to open in late spring 2026.

The players

LifeMoves

A homeless services nonprofit operating the bridge program in Sunnyvale.

Palo Alto

The city providing support for the bridge program and working on longer-term solutions for its homeless population.

Santa Clara County

Providing support for the bridge program and coordinating housing placements through its entry program.

Paul

A Palo Alto resident who has been homeless for years, now staying at the Sunnyvale hotel.

Sheryl

Paul's partner, also a Palo Alto resident who has been homeless, now staying at the Sunnyvale hotel.

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What they’re saying

“Out there, you have one eye open all the time when you're sleeping, and during the day, you're so tired. The best thing for our mental health has been not being in with anybody else.”

— Sheryl (sanjosespotlight.com)

“The city was involved early on in this effort, with LifeMoves in the lead, and we've been very supportive of the opportunity to benefit both the unhoused community regionally and in Palo Alto.”

— Melissa McDonough, Assistant to the Palo Alto City Manager (sanjosespotlight.com)

What’s next

The Homekey Palo Alto project with 88 units of interim housing is expected to open in late spring 2026, at which point the Sunnyvale bridge program will close and residents will transition to the new permanent housing.

The takeaway

This bridge program in Sunnyvale is a crucial stopgap measure to provide immediate shelter for Palo Alto's growing homeless population, many of whom are living in vehicles or RVs, while the city works on longer-term solutions like the Homekey project. It highlights the regional nature of homelessness and the need for collaborative efforts between cities and counties to address this complex issue.