Housing

Housing

San Jose homeless housing expansion highlights cost concerns

San Jose is allocating millions of dollars to double the capacity of its oldest temporary housing site for homeless residents, pushing long-term operating costs into overdrive. The Rue Ferrari site, located in South San Jose, is adding 134 beds at a cost of more than $30 million. The San Jose City Council unanimously approved the...

Major Silicon Valley developments to watch in 2024

In 2023, San Jose and Silicon Valley’s development scene faced numerous challenges, including increasing costs due to inflation and spiked interest rates making financing projects of all kinds more difficult and expensive. While development approvals continued at a rapid pace, many projects are on hold or being changed or resized to cut costs, office space...

Silicon Valley office vacancies stuck in double digits

Silicon Valley’s offices are rapidly emptying out, as the paradigm-shifting remote work culture brought on by the pandemic continues to affect the commercial real estate market. A December report from the research arms of Joint Venture Silicon Valley and commercial real estate firm JLL Silicon Valley shows demand for office space in the third quarter of...

Watch: The future of growth and development in Cupertino

In its first live community engagement event in Cupertino, San José Spotlight hosted a robust policy discussion around development in the city—including the outlook for commercial, retail and housing growth. The panel, held this month in partnership with the city, featured Community Development Director Benjamin Fu and Economic Development Manager Daniel Degu, as well as...

Santa Clara County extends homeless services contract amid controversy

Santa Clara County officials are moving ahead with a temporary contract extension for homeless support services, despite uneasiness over allegations of discrimination by the nonprofit provider. The Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday unanimously approved a three-month, $2 million contract extension with homeless service provider HomeFirst to operate the Boccardo Reception Center in...

Sunnyvale fire stations are getting a face-lift

Sunnyvale plans to renovate the majority of its fire stations, starting with the one that trains future firefighters. The Sunnyvale City Council on Tuesday is slated to award a more than $2 million contract to PBK Architects to begin the process of rebuilding Fire Station 2. The city is expected to allocate about $40 million...

San Jose resident nearly loses home from RV fire

Residents in San Jose’s Alameda neighborhood have concerns over the growing number of people living in vehicles, after an RV fire damaged property. While there are time limits for vehicles, including RVs, parking on a public street—no more than 72 hours—residents and business owners say these rules are not being enforced. The Nov. 26 RV fire that...

San Jose residents are unhappy homeowners

San Jose is one of the worst U.S. cities for someone looking for the most bang for their buck on housing. According to a report from All Star Home, San Jose ranks second worst when it comes to homeowners’ happiness with their homes and neighborhoods, compared to the price they pay to live there. San...

Santa Clara council approves plan to revive downtown

Santa Clara is planning a major facelift of its five-acre downtown after years of neglect, thanks to a determined group of residents. The Santa Clara City Council on Tuesday unanimously approved rezoning for a new downtown plan and environmental impact report. Mayor Lisa Gillmor recused herself. The plan revitalizes the downtown grid, which can accommodate...