Locating available, affordable housing in Silicon Valley is never easy, but people with mental health disabilities, particularly those on social security or limited incomes, face even greater barriers (see “Loss of Board and Care Facilities is at Crisis Level“). On this page, you will find listings of emergency and mental health supportive housing agencies, resources for finding affordable single and family housing, homeless resources, and other housing related services and legal resources (resident/tenant rights). Please call the NAMI Helpline at (408) 453-0400 for additional assistance.


Contents on this Page

  1. Long-Term GROUP Housing
  2. Short-Term Residential Treatment
  3. AFFORDABLE Housing
  4. Emergency Homeless PREVENTION Resources
  5. Local HOMELESS Housing Assistance
  6. Housing LEGAL Assistance
  7. Housing Rights Information

 

 

Click on the text bars below to read more about each topic:

Mental Health Long-Term Group Housing Types

  • Licensed Adult Residential Facilities (or Board & Care) homes are licensed by the state to provide long-term room and board (including meals and laundry services), 24- supervision of residents, assistance with medical and psychiatric needs and appointments, and dispensation of medications to residents. To determine if a facility is licensed (and to view complaints or violations), visit the state Community Care Licensing Facility Search site at http://ccld.ca.gov/PG3581.htm, or contact Community Care Licensing at (408) 324-2112.
  • Unlicensed Adult Residential Group homes provide long-term shared or unshared rooms and access to home areas. They include “room and board” homes, which may offer services such as meals, laundry, transportation for appointments, shopping or social events, etc., and “independent living” homes, which may not provide meals or other daily living services. Note: these homes are NOT licensed and do not provide 24-hour supervision, medication management, medical or psychiatric assistance/transportation. Residents must be able to manage their medications and daily living activities on their own. If an unlicensed home is providing medications or medical care, you can make a complaint to Community Care Licensing at (408) 324-2112. Most unlicensed group homes are affordable to people on SSI or SSDI (although can be of poor quality). In these homes, you have the same rights given to all tenants in California. (See the “Housing Legal Aid” and “Housing Rights Resources” sections at the bottom of this page for information on how to report or get help with unsafe or illegal housing conditions or practices.)

State Licensed Adult Residential Facilities Search

 California Department of Social Services (DSS) Community Care Licensing Facility Search:

Use the California DSS Community Care Licensing Facility Search to determine if an Adult Residential Facility (aka “board & care home”) has a current state license. Inspections, complaints and violations data are listed for each facility. Instructions:

  1. Click on this link: https://www.cdss.ca.gov/inforesources/community-care-licensing/facility-search-welcome
  2. Select: “Adult Residential and Daycare”
  3. Type a Zip Code or City, and press the “Search” button.
  4. The next page displays the first page of facilities in that location, in alphabetical order.
  5. *Important Note: Many of the Adult Residential Facilities will only accept persons with developmental disabilities (such as Downs Syndrome, intellectual disabilities, fetal alcohol syndrome, fragile X syncrome, cerebral palsy, autism spectrum). If you contact a facility because you are seeking housing for someone with a mental illness, be sure to ask if the facility accepts persons with “mental health disabilities” 
  6. Click on “view” to display the Facility Detail page, which contains information such as license Status (upper right corner), and tabs with Complaints, Inspections and Citations

* Note:  If a facility houses seniors only, they may be licensed as “Elderly Assisted Living” homes. Make that selection in step #3 above; then make sure “Assisted Living” is selected on the Search page (step 4).

Useful Group Housing Documents

Useful Residents Rights Documents

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Mental Health Short-Term Residential Treatment Types

  • Social Rehabilitation Facilities (aka Crisis or Short-Term Residential) homes are licensed by the state to provide 24 hour a day non-medical care and supervision in a group setting to adults recovering from mental illnesses who temporarily need assistance, guidance or counseling.  These facilities are normally managed through mental health agencies as part of a continuum of outpatient psychiatric services. People become eligible for transitional living in the following ways:
    1. Clients on Medi-cal – are referred by County Behavioral Health Services via Adult Residential Services (if transitioning from psychiatric inpatient hospitals, or by case managers at County outpatient clinics or County contract FSP (Full Service Partnership) agencies.  For assistance in obtaining County services, including help qualifying for Medi-Cal, contact the Mental Health Call Center at 800-704-0900
    2. Private Insurance Clients – Some insurance providers will cover a stay in a transitional living home.  Contact your insurance provider customer service number. You can also contact La Selva Project in Palo Alto (650-617-1759), which is currently the only transitional living facility in the County that takes private insurance. You may also want to conduct an internet search for transitional homes out of the area.
    3. Private Pay Clients – transitional living homes that take private pay are can be very expensive, and most are located out of this County.  The two transitional living facilities in the area are: 1) La Selva Project in Palo Alto (650-617-1759), and 2) Nueva Vista in Morgan Hill. (408-465-8280).  You may also want to conduct an internet search for transitional homes out of the area.
      To determine if a facility is licensed (and to view complaints or violations), visit the Californai state Community Care Licensing Facility Search site, and select “Social Rehabilitation Facilities”, or contact Community Care Licensing at (408) 324-2148.

Sober Living Homes (also know as SLE’s) provide long-term shared rooms and access to home areas for persons in recovery from substance abuse (including those with dual diagnoses). These are properties where all residents have agreed to remain alcohol and drug-free. Some require that residents work, go to school or volunteer during the day. Some have limits to how long a resident can stay. For people with mental illness, these homes require good independent living skills, but can also be more pleasant than “board and care homes” and more affordable than private or low-income housing.

To locate Sober Living Homes in your area, try a search engine such as Google or these internet search sites:

* Note: these homes are NOT licensed and do not provide 24-hour supervision, medication management, medical or psychiatric assistance/transportation. Residents must be able to manage their medications and daily living activities on their own.

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Affordable Housing Definition: Housing is defined as affordable if it costs no more than 30% of one’s income. Most local low-income housing developments are built for families and individuals with incomes of 60% or less than the area median income (AMI). The County of Santa Clara has one of the highest annual AMIs in the country, at $168,500 for a family of four in 2022, which means affordable housing rents are correspondingly high.  Affordable housing properties have rent and income rules: tenants must have incomes under a certain limit, and rents cannot be more than a certain percentage of that income. Each property has different rent and income rules, and most in the Bay Area have long or closed wait lists. It takes patience and persistence to secure an affordable housing unit. This type of housing may or may not be appropriate for someone living with mental illness. Rents are usually greater than SSI or SSDI payments, so renters may need an additional source of income. They must also be able to live independently and follow tenant rules. Occasionally, affordable housing units are reserved for special needs households, such as elderly or disabled tenants, and can be more accommodating to persons with a serious mental illness.  Note: Silicon Valley Independent Living Center assists people with disabilities (including mental illness) search for affordable housing.

Affordable Housing Types

HUD Section 8 – Under “Section 8”, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) authorizes payment of rental housing assistance to low-income households and/or disabled individuals in the United States. In Santa Clara County the Housing Authority of Santa Clara County (HASCC) administers HUD programs. The main form of HUD housing assistance is via Housing Choice (or Section 8) vouchers, which gives vouchers to eligible recipients to cover rent or mortgage payments.

Subsidized housing – Multi-family apartments or single-family homes that are built or leased through public-private programs, and funded by state, county and city programs.

Supportive Housing – Some vulnerable citizens, such as those with disabilities are eligible for special housing combined with supplemental services such as case management or mental health outpatient treatment.  The California Mental Health Services Act of 2004 (MHSA), for instance, provides funding for supportive housing for persons with disabling mental illnesses. Note that only people receiving County-based mental health services (via Medi-Cal) are eligible for direct MHSA funded services.  To obtain County mental health services, contact the Behavioral Health Call Center at 800-704-0900

Private Rental Housing – Single-resident occupancy units, boarding houses and other living arrangements can offer rents that are affordable to low-income residents.  (Unfortunately, private rental housing that is both low cost and livable is scarce in the current local housing market.)

Disability Group Housing – (AKA Board & Care Homes) Extremely low-income housing may also be occupied by people whose only income comes from monthly supplemental security income (SSI/SSDI), Social Security or disability checks.  See top of this page for information on group housing (licensed or unlicensed) for people with mental health disabilities.

Transitional Housing – These programs offer temporary housing for people who want to live on their own, but who do not have the financial resources or ability to do so. They usually provide supportive services to prepare them for independent living. Some programs assist people transitioning from an emergency shelter. Transitional housing usually offers more privacy than homeless shelters; may be no cost or low-cost and may cater to people with mental illness.  Information on transitional housing can be obtained in most regions by calling 2-1-1.  Transitional housing options for people with mental illness include:

  1. Mental Health Transitional Living homes – are normally managed through mental health agencies as part of a continuum of outpatient psychiatric services. People become eligible for transitional living in the following ways:
    1. Clients on Medi-Cal – are referred by County Behavioral Health Services via Adult Residential Services (if transitioning from psychiatric inpatient hospitals, or by case managers at County outpatient clinics or County contract FSP (Full Service Partnership) agencies.  For assistance in obtaining County services, including help qualifying for Medi-Cal, contact the Mental Health Call Center at 800-704-0900
    2. Private Insurance Clients – Some insurance providers will cover a stay in a transitional living home.  Contact your insurance provider customer service number. You can also contact La Selva Project in Palo Alto (650-617-1759), which is currently the only transitional living facility in the County that takes private insurance. You may also want to conduct an internet search for transitional homes out of the area.
    3. Private Pay Clients – transitional living homes that take private pay can be very expensive and are likely to be located out of this County.  The two transitional living facilities in the area are: 1) La Selva Project in Palo Alto (650-617-1759), and 2) Nueva Vista in Morgan Hill. (408-465-8280). You may also want to conduct an internet search for transitional homes out of the area.
  2. Sober Living Facilities (also known as SLE’s) are properties where all residents have agreed to remain alcohol and drug-free. Some require that residents work, go to school or volunteer during the day, Some have limits on how long a resident can stay. For people with mental illness, these homes require good independent living skills, but can also be more pleasant than “board and care homes” and more affordable than private or low-income housing. Search for such facilities using an internet search engine or site such as Yelp.

Local Affordable Housing Resources:

Silicon Valley Independent Living Center (SVILC)
Main Branch – Telephone: 408-894-9041  Address: 2202 N. First St, San Jose, CA, 95131  Email: info@svilc.org.
South County Branch – Telephone: 408-843-9100  Address: 7881 Church Street Suite C, Gilroy, CA, 95020  Email: info@svilc.org.
SVILC supports people with disabilities, including those with mental health challenges. They provide group workshops and a chance to work with a Housing Specialist on the following:

  • Information and referrals to other community housing resources
  • Developing housing search strategies
  • Information about Section 8 and other subsidized and low income housing
  • Understanding your housing rights as a person with a disability
  • Applying for emergency financial assistance for rent, security deposit, utilities, and other critical family needs – RESTRICTIONS APPLY

SVILC Housing Resources List – Comprehensive list of local housing-related resources

The United Effort Organization – Provides comprehensive and integrated services to find affordable housing, public assistance programs, resources and mentors. Has an excellent search tool to find affordable housing that is regularly updated.

Santa Clara County 211 Housing Resources page  
Or call 211 – United Way of Silicon Valley’s 211 online information and resources database has a Housing resources page with relevant links.

Rental Housing Search Websites

One Degree – One Degree is a free non-profit committed to helping low-income families access the resources they need. They have a searchable database. Access to resources through free One Degree App (Apple store or Google Play) and by texting. Text 844-833-1334 with what you’re looking for – a word or phrase, like “food stamps” or “housing.”

Charities Housing – Develop and manage low-income housing. Have a searchable database of available housing. Telephone: 408-550-8300

Mid-Peninsula Housing – Develop and manage low-income housing. Have a searchable database of available housing. Telephone: 650-356-2900

Housing Authority of Santa Clara County (HASCC) – Telephone: 408-275-8770. Address: 505 West Julian St., San Jose 95110.  Provides information regarding rental subsidies and affordable housing for low-income families, seniors and persons with disabilities living in Santa Clara County, through the federal rental housing assistance program (Housing Choice Voucher, also known as Section 8). HASCC also provides HUD housing development subsidies to qualified home builders.  Section 8 Vouchers may be “person-based” or “project-based”.   Note: Most of these housing choice voucher program wait lists are either closed, or people must be referred by specific County agencies.  However, HASCC owns and controls more than 2,600 affordable housing units, referred to as the agency’s housing portfolio. Use SCCHA’s Applicant Portal to sign up for these housing interest lists.

City of San Jose Housing Department  – Telephone: 408-535-3860  Serves lower- and moderate-income families by increasing, preserving, and improving housing that is affordable and livable. Provides some subsidized housing.

Community Housing Developers – Telephone: 408-279-7657   Provides information about shared housing, senior housing, family housing and about the “below market program” for the cities of Los Altos and Santa Clara.

Mid-Peninsula Housing Coalition  – Telephone: (Foster City Headquarters) 650-356-2900 (Monterey Bay Office) 831-707-2130  Email: info@midpen-housing.org    Building and managing affordable rental housing in Northern California.
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These agencies provide financial and other assistance to people who have a place to live but are at risk of becoming homeless due to rent increases, loss of income, psychiatric and medical emergencies, etc. The assistance is usually for a limited time and eligibility is subject to each agency’s guidelines, which are usually based on address and income. Hint: Some agencies receive their funding on a monthly basis, so you are more likely to be accepted if you arrive early in the month. If you are refused, try applying again at the start of the following month.

Homelessness Prevention System

(408) 926-8885  The Homelessness Prevention System is administered by a network of 19 non-profit organizations located throughout Santa Clara County. HPS provides assistance to low-income families or individuals who are at risk of losing their housing, including temporary financial assistance, legal support, and case management and other services. All are welcome to apply regardless of citizenship or immigration status. Guidelines for eligibility: resident of Santa Clara County, low income, at risk of losing housing within approximately 14 days, at high risk of homelessness. Call or email info@preventhomelessness.org for eligibility screening or call one of the participating agencies shown on the HPS website.

Emergency Assistance Network
United Way Silicon Valley, eight partner agencies, and seven law enforcement agencies have joined to create a safety net of essential services for all Santa Clara County residents. The goal is to stabilize individuals and families during times of trouble and help them return to self-sufficiency. Which partner agency assists people depends upon their zip code. Emergency Assistance (EAN) agencies offer the following assistance to help families and individuals recover from emergency situations (such as the sudden inability to pay rent or utilities):

  • Rent and Mortgage Assistance
  • Food Assistance
  • Utility Assistance
  • Medical and Transportation Aid

To find the EAN agency for your zip code, you can call 211, or do an online search via the Santa Clara County 211 web site:

  1. Go to the 211 Santa Clara County Housing page
  2. Click on the kind of “Housing Expense Assistance” you need
  3. Enter your zip code to find the agency that can assist you.

St Vincent De Paul (SVPD) 
All requests for emergency services are referred to local parish based “conferences.”  You will be asked to provide your name and phone number.  Depending on the service requested, the staff will ask for documentation such as ID, income verification, rental agreements, utility bills, etc. Staff will also refer you to other non-profit organizations and county and state agencies depending on your situation. Santa Clara County Council has 24 Conferences, which provide services such as food pantries, rental and utility assistance, clothing distribution, employment assistance, mentoring, and the traditional “home visit.” Visit the SVPD website for a list of conference locations by zip code.

Silicon Valley Independent Living Center (SVILC)
Main Branch – Telephone: 408-894-9041  Address: 25 N 14th St, Suite 1000, San Jose, CA, 95112.  South County Branch – Telephone: 408-843-9100  Address: 7881 Church Street Suite C, Gilroy, CA, 95020
SVILC provides emergency financial assistance for rent, security deposit, utilities, and other critical family needs – RESTRICTIONS APPLY

Domestic Violence Emergency Housing Assistance

Next Door Solutions to Domestic Violence  
24/7 Hotline: (408) 279-2962
Address: 234 E Gish Road, Suite 200, San Jose, CA 95112. Confidential counseling and emergency shelter placement for women and children   IF YOU ARE IN IMMEDIATE DANGER: CALL 911

YWCA Support Services
For victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking, offers crisis intervention, emergency shelter, legal services and community support.
Telephone: 800-572-2782  Address: 375 S. Third Avenue, San Jose, CA 95112

Mental Health Crisis Housing

Momentum Crisis Stabilization Unit –  Telephone (408) 207-0560, ext. 1, or ring doorbell at 101 Jose Figueres Avenue, San Jose. Individuals in crisis can stay up to 24 hours as a voluntary alternative to a locked treatment setting. Medi-Cal or no insurance, 18+.

Momentum for Mental HealthAdult Crisis Residential  
Mental health sub-acute residential housing and treatment at various facilities. Length of stay is about a month. Must have Medi-Cal or no insurance and be referred by County Behavioral Health (800-704-0900).
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Office of Supportive Housing (OSH)
Telephone: 408-278-6400  Main Address: 150 W Tasman Dr, San Jose 95134
The Santa Clara County Office of Supportive Housing’s (OSH) mission is help end and prevent homelessness by increasing the supply of affordable and supportive housing that is available to extremely low income and special needs households (including those with mental illness).

OSH oversees the Continuum of Care (COC) program, a group of County and other local housing agencies dedicated to ensuring County-wide implementation of efforts to end and prevent homelessness in Santa Clara County. CoC created and manages Coordinated Entry: a community-wide intake and assessment process to match people experiencing homelessness to existing community resources that are best fit for their situation. Santa Clara County has been using coordinated assessment for a few years for permanent supportive housing and rapid rehousing programs. They are also in the process of expanding coordinated assessment to shelter and transitional housing programs as well. In the County’s coordinated assessment system, all homeless people complete a standard assessment tool (the Vulnerability Index-Service Prioritization Decision Assessment Tool or VI-SPDAT) that considers the household’s situation and identifies the best type of housing intervention. A “community queue” of eligible people is generated from the standard assessment, which is then used to fill spaces in the County’s permanent housing programs, including permanent supportive housing and rapid rehousing. Currently, persons eligible for Coordinated Assessment services must meet the definition of “chronically homeless”: living on the streets or in a shelter for at least a year. Note: Chronically homeless individuals with mental illness often score as “high need” on the VI-SPDAT. 

Access points are locations where people who are homeless can complete the coordinated assessment intake (VI-SPDAT). These locations include homeless shelters and other community agencies that provide housing information and homeless services. See the List of County Participating Agencies

Local Homeless Services

Homeless Services Brochure – Excellent pamphlet produced by the City of San Jose’s listing local housing and homeless services, including emergency shelters, drop in service centers, rental and other financial assistance, food and clothing resources, help specific to women/families, youth, senior and veteran, and referrals for medical/mental health/recovery, legal, employment services.

Homeless Shelter Directory for San Jose – Listings of homeless shelters and services for the needy in San Jose and surrounding cities.

Here4You County Shelter Hotline
The Here4You call center hotline is designed to centralize referrals for clients needing shelter in Santa Clara County. Call (408) 385-2400 9am to 7pm.

HomeFirst Homeless Outreach Services Homeless Helpline: 408-510-7600  

Address: 2011 Little Orchard Street, San Jose, CA 95121.  Email: outreach@homefirstscc.orgCall or come in if you are homeless and needing help, or if you are concerned about a homeless person(s).  HomeFirst provides adult homeless services and shelter with beds for homeless adults and families.  The phone number has 24-hour voicemail.

San Jose City Homeless Concerns. Report a concern for homeless persons or encampments in San Jose, or persons living in vehicles. City Housing Department staff will outreach.

LifeMoves Opportunities Services Center
Telephone: 650-853-8672   Address: 33 Encina Ave, Palo Alto, CA 94301. Services for adults and families, including rent & utility assistance, case management and housing referrals, medical and mental health outpatient treatment.

LifeMoves Julian Street Inn (for homeless with mental illness) (LifeMoves was formally known as InnVision)
Telephone: 408-271-0820   Address: 546 W. Julian Street, San Jose, CA 95110. Homeless shelter for seriously mentally ill persons for up to 90 days with rehabilitation, counseling, and housing referrals services.  Must be referred by a local mental health authority, such as Santa Clara County Behavioral Health Services (800-704-0900)

Bill Wilson Center  
Telephone: 408-925-0231   Address: 693 S Second St, San Jose. Call for hours. Drop-in center for homeless youth ages 14-24. Services at the Drop-In Center include overnight respite and basic necessities such as food, personal care items and access to phone, computers and email. Showers and washer and dryer facilities are also available free of charge. Bill Wilson also operates a short-term shelter for young adults ages 18-24.

Useful Housing/Homeless Assistance Resources:

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Law Foundation of Silicon Valley – Housing Project 
Telephone: 408-280-2424  Phone intake hours: Monday 9-11:30AM. No walk-ins. Free legal advice and representation on housing-related matters to low-income individuals in Santa Clara County. The Housing project can assist with:

  • Defending eviction lawsuit
  • Housing discrimination issues like reasonable accommodation requests for individuals with disabilities
  • Enforcing the San Jose Tenant Protection Ordinance
  • Enforcing the Santa Clara County Eviction Moratorium
  • Legal outreach and support for renter organizing/campaigns
  • Help with Housing Authority hearings
  • Section 8 and other low-income housing issues like terminations and eligibility determinations
  • Legal advice and information to tenants regarding notices for repairs/bad conditions

They cannot assist with:

  • Evicting anyone from a household
  • Providing financial assistance for renters
  • Criminal cases
  • Personal injury lawsuits

Law Foundation of Silicon Valley – Health/Mental Health Program
Telephone: 408-280-2420  Address: 4 N Second St, Suite 1300, San Jose, CA  95113. Phone intake: M-F 1PM-4PM. Walk-in: Tuesday and Thursday, 1PM-3PM. Health/Mental Program provides free legal services to any individual who lives in Santa Clara County and who identifies as having a mental health or a developmental disability, or are homeless. The Health Program cannot handle criminal cases, but can assist with:

  • Medi-Cal, Medicare, CalWORKS, CalFresh (food stamps), CAPI, General Assistance (GA)

  • Reasonable accommodation to access benefits programs

  • Investigation of allegations of abuse or denial of rights at mental health facilities

  • Advocacy for access to county mental health services

  • Advocacy for access to mental health treatment in the county jails

  • Assistance with name and gender marker to align with gender identity through Pro Bono Clinic

  • Investigate sweeps of individuals’ property

  • Limited counsel & advice for debtor’s rights issues/creditor harassments

California Department of Fair Employment and Housing
Telephone: (general information and complaints) 800-884-1684   TTY: 800-700-2320  Email: contact.center@calcivilrights.ca.gov. The mission of the Department of Fair Employment and Housing is to protect the people of California from unlawful discrimination in employment, housing and public accommodations, and from the perpetration of acts of hate violence.

Project Sentinel
Telephone: 800-339-6043  Address: 1490 El Camino Real, Santa Clara, CA 95050  Email: info@housing.org.  Project Sentinel offers fair housing investigation and enforcement in San Mateo, Santa Clara, Stanislaus, Alameda, and San Joaquin Counties. Also offers tenant – landlord counseling and mediation services, first time homebuyer and mortgage default counseling.
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Residents’ Rights Resources
In case of serious issues and/or violations (listed below) in unlicensed or licensed board and care/room and board homes, a person’s case manager, if they have one available, should be the first contact. If contact with the case manager is not possible or effective, the person should contact one or more of the agencies listed below, depending on the issue.

Abuse or Violation of Residents’ Rights
  • Disability Rights California 1-800-776-5746
  • Community Care Licensing 1-844-538-8766   For licensed facilities only
  • Adult Protective Services 1-800-414-2002 or 408-975-4900   For dependent elders and adults
  • Long Term Care Ombudsman 408-944-0567 (through Catholic Charities)   Advocates for people living in nursing homes and residential care facilities
Financial Abuse
  • FAST (Financial Abuse Specialist Team) 408-975-4900 or 1-800-414-2002    For dependent elders and adults
Landlord/Tenant Issues  (unlicensed residences)
  • Project Sentinel 408-720-9888   For unlicensed facilities only
Unsafe building, bedbugs, cockroaches, vermin
  • Code Enforcement 408-535-7770 (San Jose)
  • Disability Rights California 1-800-776-5746
  • Community Care Licensing 1-844-538-8766   For licensed facilities only

Useful Housing Rights Documents

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