A controversial housing development in Cupertino is heading toward potential approval, as city officials weigh state housing mandates against resident concerns about wildfire risk and evacuation safety. The Planning Commission in February voted 3-2 to recommend the city move forward with a 51-townhome project on a 2.5-acre site along Linda Vista Drive — to the...
Will Matt Mahan’s solutions to homelessness work for California?
If San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan becomes California’s next governor, policy experts say some homeless solutions he has implemented in Silicon Valley’s largest city could work — but others may fall flat. Mahan has scaled up production of tiny homes, more than doubling the number of beds it operates last year to get people off...
San Jose mayor touts 15-point housing plan for California
San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan aims to stand out from the crowded field of California governor candidates with a statewide policy plan to speed up housing production. Advocates say there’s plenty to like — even if certain facets of the plan could cut funding to local public services. Mahan unveiled his 15-point plan March 5...
San Jose ends homeless shelter contract amid worker drug charges
A homeless services provider has lost its contract to operate a large San Jose shelter, days after police arrested a worker who was allegedly selling drugs to residents. San Jose on Wednesday terminated its contract with nonprofit LifeMoves to run the Branham Lane temporary housing site, according to city officials. It follows the arrest and...
San Jose homeless housing site worker arrested on drug charges
A caseworker at a housing site for formerly homeless people in San Jose has been arrested for possessing drugs with an intent to sell — months after former workers repeatedly raised concerns to managers of suspected drug dealing between the caseworker and residents. Police arrested Yasmin Wright, 46, on Monday outside the Branham Lane temporary...
State grant opens door to housing for South Bay farmworkers
Farmworkers who have grappled to make ends meet while doing backbreaking labor to feed Bay Area communities will have a pathway to home ownership. Santa Clara County will use a $2.2 million grant from the state’s Farmworker Housing Grant program to provide loans for mortgage assistance so low-income, first time homebuyers can purchase manufactured homes....
San Jose skips housing offers for some homeless residents
In San Jose, how you get treated as a homeless person depends on where you end up on the streets. The city appears to be giving preferential treatment to homeless residents living in large encampments like Columbus Park and the reestablished Jungle in East San Jose, when it comes to outreach and offers of temporary...
Larger Whole Foods to open in Los Gatos
A new Whole Foods Market is about to open in Los Gatos, with amenities that include a spacious hot-food bar, indoor seating and a mural of local birds. Construction crews are busy installing interior fixtures at the 40,039-square-foot supermarket on Los Gatos Boulevard at the intersection of Los Gatos Almaden Road. The market is expected...
San Jose to clear its largest homeless camp — again
San Jose is clearing one of its most infamous homeless camps again, in what city officials claim will be the last time. About 100 homeless people have repopulated the creek around Story Road across from Happy Hollow Park & Zoo — an area known as “the Jungle.” The city will begin clearing the area on April...
San Jose looks to housing vouchers to fill mostly vacant high-rise
With the launch of a new housing voucher program, San Jose intends to strike two birds with one stone: Provide below-market rate homes downtown and stabilize a financially struggling residential complex. Under the first rollout of the Lower Income Voucher and Equity Program, approved by the City Council Tuesday, San Jose will provide up to...