Housing isn't just about having a roof over your head—it's about belonging, community connection, and creating a place where everyone can thrive.

In this episode, I talk with Claudine Sipili, Director of Lived Experience and Innovation at Destination: Home, about how housing challenges affect our entire community. We explore what real community looks like, the tension between temporary and permanent housing solutions, and how we can all be part of creating a more connected San Jose.

Claudine shares insights from her own lived experience with homelessness and her work supporting holistic approaches that see people as whole humans, not just clients. We discuss why misconceptions about homelessness create harmful distance between neighbors, and how small acts of empathy can transform communities.

This episode's What I'm Learning covers the recent San Jose City Council decision on "Responsibility to Shelter," the redirection of Measure E funds, and why we're still losing ground despite building thousands of new affordable homes. Our Community Spotlight features The Q Corner in honor of Pride month. For Take Action, I suggest listening first, practicing empathy, and getting involved with prevention efforts that keep neighbors housed before crisis hits.

What I'm Learning Sources:

• San José Spotlight - "Santa Clara County homelessness hits new high" - https://sanjosespotlight.com/santa-clara-county-homelessness-hits-new-high/

• Mercury News - "San Jose approves policy setting expectation that unhoused accept shelter" - https://www.mercurynews.com/2025/06/10/san-jose-approves-policy-setting-expectation-that-unhoused-accept-shelter/

Community Spotlight:

• The Q Corner - https://www.instagram.com/theqcorner

Guest Information:

• Destination: Home - https://destinationhomesv.org/

• Homelessness Prevention System - https://destinationhomesv.org/prevention/

• Silicon Valley Guaranteed Income Pilots - https://destinationhomesv.org/guaranteed-income/

Mentioned in the Episode:

• Measure A Housing Bond Results - https://destinationhomesv.org/news/

• Santa Clara County Office of Supportive Housing - https://www.sccgov.org/sites/osh/

• UCSF BHHI Statewide Homelessness Study - https://www.ucsf.edu/news/2023/06/425591/california-study-finds-majority-homeless-residents-want-help-housing

Take Action:

• Destination: Home Community Engagement & Advocacy - https://destinationhomesv.org/community-engagement-advocacy/

• Ways to Advocate - https://destinationhomesv.org/community-engagement-advocacy/ways-to-advocate/