2020 SPUR Impact Awards: Rebecca Garcia Helps Provide Housing and Shelter for All

The 2020 SPUR Impact Awards recognize outstanding job performance by public sector leaders in Santa Clara County.

Ms. Garcia provides leadership and oversight for homelessness and affordable housing programing, including the Below Market Rate Program, for the City of Morgan Hill. She led the efforts to put in place the inclusionary housing policy to mitigate the impacts of new market rate housing and assist the City to meet its share of the Regional Housing Needs Allocation and the Housing Element of the General Plan.

Ms. Garcia understands the unique needs of small cities and improves the effectiveness of Morgan Hill’s housing programs through partnership building. In collaboration with the police department, Santa Clara County and the faith-based community, she was instrumental in the creation of a Homeless Safe Park Program, providing shelter for homeless populations. She also confronted the challenge of funding for affordable housing. In collaboration with EAH Housing and Santa Clara County, Ms. Garcia helped to facilitate financing and the beginning of construction for the 3 Scattered Site, a 41- unit affordable housing development which will house lower income families, individuals, and transitional aged youth who are aging out of the foster care program.

Ms. Garcia has expanded her efforts beyond the City of Morgan Hill as a collaborator on the County of Santa Clara’s five-year Community Plan to End Homelessness. Ms. Garcia’s effectiveness has resulted in higher client satisfaction, better-leveraged resources, and a culture of striving for continuous improvement.


Learn about our other 2020 honorees:

Senator Jim Beall Creates Solutions to California's Toughest Problems

Ed Solis Transforms Streets Into Public Space for Everyone

Building Reach Code Team Helps San José Go Carbon Neutral

SJSU's CommUniverCity Team Partners with City Residents to Support Community-Based Planning