Human Relations Commission - October 23, 2024

Youth and physical health included in FY26/27 priorities

The Human Relations Commission voted 6-1 to include youth services and both mental and physical health among the priority areas for Palo Alto’s FY26/27 Human Services Resource Allocation Program. The adopted list also covers homelessness services and housing support, services for people with disabilities, services for older adults, and food and nutrition services.

The categories determine which service areas are eligible to apply for HSRAP funding. The formal staff recommendation did not include youth and listed mental health alone, although staff’s presentation proposed broadening that category to physical health and discussed adding youth or services for vulnerable populations.

Council Member Julie Lythcott-Haims, serving as council liaison, supported keeping youth as a distinct priority, raising concern that its removal could make youth-serving providers ineligible. She also advocated for supports for parents and caregivers. Commissioners considered community engagement and support as another priority, but it was removed before the final motion. Staff said it would continue that work and could address related needs through other nonprofit funding mechanisms.

The action followed RDA’s 2024 Human Services Needs Assessment, which identified significant unmet needs involving housing insecurity and homelessness, disability services, older-adult services, food and nutrition, and mental-health support. The research included 419 survey respondents—385 community members and 34 service providers—and 51 qualitative-research participants. Six of 21 FY2024 HSRAP grantees completed the survey. The approved priorities will now be used in the FY26/27 application process.

Staff previews City Council review of nonprofit funding

Staff told the commission that an upcoming City Council study session will consider a City Manager’s Office report on possible policies and funding approaches for one-time nonprofit-support requests. The study session is expected to seek council feedback rather than produce a final decision.

Potential options could include additional nonprofit funding categories and changes involving HSRAP funding. Staff said the commission will remain involved as the review proceeds, with nonprofit-community engagement and a later City Council vote anticipated.

Commission tables minutes pending vote-recording review

The commission tabled approval of its prior meeting’s minutes pending staff follow-up on a public request that minutes identify each commissioner’s vote, abstention, nonparticipation and absence by name.

A motion to approve the minutes had been made and seconded, but no vote was completed. Staff said the issue would return at the next meeting; no decision was made on the requested format.

Primary sources

Watch the meeting on YouTube · Read the official meeting packet