Photograph by Jacqueline Ramseyer
Private security officer Manny Lopez looks through Steve Seymore's personal belongings, checking for items like knives or scissors, before allowing him to spend the night at the Sunnyvale shelter.
Armory requires ID for shelter
Identification is key for hot meals, beds and other services
By Jana Seshadri
Since November, the Sunnyvale Armory, which operates as a homeless shelter during the winter months, can only accept people with identification for overnight shelter.
According to Sgt. Major Larry Ellsworth, of Policy and Liaison Operation, the U.S. Military watches the Armory building, which is located on 620 E. Maude Ave. between Fair Oaks Avenue and Wolfe Road. Federal regulations stipulate that all cities that use a National Guard armory to provide temporary or emergency shelter, now have to enforce the ID requirement, Ellsworth said.
"We didn't have to worry about it last year," Ellsworth said. "It's something we have to put in place because of the 9-11 events."
Federal regulations require that every person who comes in for shelter should have an ID, he said. Failing that, a photograph of the person is taken and a picture ID made on the spot. Nobody can enter the premises without being thoroughly searched. After an initial identification check, every bag is checked and every person is wand-searched.
Anna Yurutucu, housing officer for Sunnyvale, said that it costs approximately $15 to make a single ID and several cities have had to turn homeless people away due to cost reasons.
"The Emergency Housing Consortium has the creative energy to take the initiative to deal with this issue," Yurutucu said.
"The people who come in for shelter do understand that this is for security reasons," said Military Police Officer Randy Pava, who works at the armory.
About 125 men and women are taken into the armory every night, and the housing consortium helps provide numerous services. Hot meals are either prepared on-site or delivered, and medical and dental care is available on a mobile service. Haircuts and showers are available as well as mats and blankets. There's a church service every day, and drug and alcohol rehabilitation can be provided.
Several volunteer organizations help out by preparing meals and delivering them or serving hot meals on-site. On Dec. 12 the Rotary Club of Sunnyvale served a hot meal to everyone in the armory.
"It's working beautifully," said Maury Kendall, communications manager for the consortium.
The consortium is the largest provider of emergency services in Santa Clara County, Kendall said.
Joe Kirch works as a day laborer during the daytime, but comes in to the armory for food and overnight shelter. Kirch said, having used the facilities at the Santa Cruz and Southern California armories, the Sunnyvale Armory is by far the best maintained and cleanest.
"I like it a lot here--it's nice," Kirch said.
The armory can only provide overnight services at this time, according to Kelsey Flemming, site manager for the consortium. Unfortunately, no daytime services are available because the military uses it during the day, she said.
"We should develop a key to break down the cycle of homelessness," Kendall said.
He added that the consortium's goal is to provide year-round shelter for the homeless, and they hope to accomplish that within the next five years.
The services the consortium provides at the armory are supported by the city council, which recently increased the group's funding. At the Sunnyvale City Council meeting on Dec. 11, Yurutucu presented a staff report to the council about revolving loan funds. Yurutucu said these funds could be used to identify the city's housing needs and a revolving fund meant that the funds could be reutilized. Upon approval of the loan plan, Yurutucu requested $6,000 from the council to purchase a portable oven unit, including a microwave and utensils, to be used in the armory or during emergency situations. Santa Clara County is donating an additional $4,000 toward the purchase, she said.
Councilwoman Julia Miller said she respects the consortium for its service to the needy. Councilwoman Pat Vorreiter echoed Miller's sentiments and added that the portable oven unit is essential for the armory. The oven would provide hot meals to people who miss the regular dinner serving time and come in much later.
"This is exactly what the program is intended to do," Vorreiter said.
Dan Aloot, of the consortium, said at the meeting that if the council approves the fund, they could have the oven unit working within a week. The council unanimously approved the funding.
"The city of Sunnyvale is quick to respond to the homeless," Aloot said.
Sunnyvale, California Since 1994
