Santa Clara County’s largest water district is weighing how to address the hundreds of homeless people living along local waterways — including potential penalties for those camped on district land. Valley Water officials on Friday hosted the Unhoused People and Environment Summit featuring district staff, housing nonprofits and county officials to discuss challenges and how...
San Jose could house more homeless veterans with state funds
Santa Clara County and its cities will have a new revenue stream next month to help people at risk of becoming homeless. Gov. Gavin Newsom in September launched Project Homekey+, which sets aside $2.2 billion to house homeless veterans and people with behavioral health or substance use issues. The money comes from Proposition 1, passed by voters in...
Santa Clara County homeless deaths dip slightly
Homeless deaths in Santa Clara County are down so far this year despite an opioid crisis and thousands of people living on the streets. There have been 159 deaths as of Oct. 6, compared to 169 deaths during the same period last year, according to data from the Santa Clara County Medical Examiner-Coroner. One of the...
State gives San Jose millions to clear homeless camps
The state plans to give San Jose $4.8 million to help clear encampments and provide support to unhoused residents. But it’s a mere drop in the bucket compared to what the city needs to tackle homelessness. Gov. Gavin Newsom doled out $130.7 million last week to assist in reducing the number of homeless people statewide....
San Jose tiny home site to double beds for homeless
After months of delay, a tiny home project in South San Jose is expanding to help more people off the streets. By this time next year, 107 units will be added to the tiny home site at 5898 Rue Ferrari, with the capacity to house up to 146 homeless people — more than doubling its current...
Santa Clara County candidates share plans to tackle homelessness
Candidates vying for two open seats on the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors are sharing their plans for the region’s top issues: homelessness and housing. Nonprofits PATH and Destination: Home hosted a candidate forum Wednesday moderated by those with lived experience. The candidates in Districts 2 and 5 discussed a number of topics including...
San Jose residents dispute outreach on safe sleeping site
A potential sanctioned encampment for homeless individuals near San Jose’s Watson Park has some neighbors upset with what they perceive as a lack of outreach. City officials have zeroed in on the first potential safe sleeping site at 1157 E. Taylor St., which could open as early as the beginning of next year with other sites to follow....
Santa Clara County sees 24% spike in new homeless residents
A year ago, the emergency homeless shelter in San Jose run by Family Supportive Housing received about 25 calls a day from desperate families needing a roof over their heads. The amount of calls have skyrocketed this year, with at least 50 calls a day as the phones ring nonstop. The number of new households...
San Jose expands cleanup crew that employs homeless residents
Neighborhoods stretching outside of immediate downtown San Jose will see cleaner streets and more job opportunities for homeless people in that area. Downtown Streets Team, a nonprofit that beautifies the city and offers a stepping stone for unhoused residents to reenter the workforce, is expanding its services into Luna Park, Alum Rock, Calle Willow and...
San Jose selects first homeless sleeping site
San Jose officials have zeroed in on the city’s first location for a sanctioned encampment, where homeless people will be allowed to stay inside tents without fear of being swept. The lot at 1157 E. Taylor St. could open early next year, with more safe sleeping sites opening by next June. The locations will house between...