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San Jose and Santa Clara County will rely on a coalition of grassroots charity organizations led by Destination: Home and Sacred Heart Community Service to disburse $57 million in federal rent relief to landlords and tenants suffering the financial consequences of COVID-19 in Silicon Valley. But not one penny can move until the U.S. Treasury...
Some San Jose leaders ready to discuss sanctioned encampments
With homelessness on the rise, some city leaders in San Jose say it’s time to explore new ways to support those living on the streets. In a recent newsletter to his District 10 constituents, Councilmember Matt Mahan announced plans to develop a comprehensive homeless encampment management strategy. “We’ve gone far too long without actively managing...
San Jose seeks to squeeze more affordable housing out of developers
San Jose lawmakers Tuesday unanimously approved updates to a housing policy that requires developers to integrate affordable housing into new projects — but the plan had some South Bay builders riled up. “The city of San Jose’s ability to produce housing is clearly broken and the costs are too high,” Silicon Valley development company KT...
Santa Clara County set to approve another $100 million for affordable housing
Santa Clara County supervisors have approved spending more than $100 million to build five housing complexes for low-income residents. The funds will come from the Measure A housing bond, passed by a majority of voters in 2016. The bond will eventually raise just under $1 billion for affordable housing projects and incentives across the county....
Could canceled homeless count in Santa Clara County affect funding?
A biennial count of Silicon Valley’s unhoused population —- critical for understanding if the homeless crisis is getting worse — won’t happen this year because of COVID-19. Some advocates worry that could mean a loss in federal funding for homeless services. Santa Clara County’s “Point-in-Time” count, which involves volunteers scouring streets, tents and underpasses to...
Pandemic stalls affordable housing plans but creates opportunities for South Bay land trust
Luis Moreno knows the struggle for housing in Silicon Valley. His aunt, a single mother with three children, was homeless for three years. “We weren’t really able to help her,” Moreno said. “Nobody in our family really had the resources to say, ‘Hey, you can live here.'” Moreno says Silicon Valley, one of the richest...
Activists protest sweep of San Jose homeless camp, call it a photo-op
Advocates for the homeless gathered Monday to protest an upcoming sweep this week of an encampment, comparing the action to former President Donald Trump’s church photo-op and calling it cruel and out of touch. “We have open buildings, we have the space. There’s no need for these people to be on the street in inclement...
Former San Jose lawmaker has a new gig in real estate
After getting a bit of rest, former San Jose Councilmember Johnny Khamis is back at work. Not at San Jose City Hall. He just accepted a job as a part-time public relations consultant for the Santa Clara County Association of Realtors (SCCAOR). SCCAOR provides educational and networking opportunities to more than 6,000 Realtors across the county....
Homeless would get COVID-19 vaccine priority, legal camp in latest San Jose proposal
Downtown San Jose Councilmember Raul Peralez was headed for dinner with his wife and son this past weekend when a homeless man threatened to “kick his ass.” “And this is (in front of) my 2-year-old kid,” he said. It’s the latest incident amid recent backlash from residents about the growth of homeless encampments in San...
Silicon Valley lawmakers approve plans for distributing rent relief funds
Renters make up nearly half of the Bay Area’s largest city, and many face an eviction time bomb after eviction bans end and back rent is due, prompting Silicon Valley lawmakers Tuesday to take steps to protect the most vulnerable tenants. Lawmakers at the city and county level approved a “hybrid” plan to distribute millions...
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