A South San Jose modular housing project for homeless people is finally opening after months of delay due to issues with mold, plumbing and structural safety. The 3-story temporary housing campus situated on a 2-acre lot at 1 Branham Lane will welcome up to 214 unhoused residents later this month. The project is the first...
San Jose tackles thousands of homeless camp fires
Fires emanating from San Jose’s homeless encampments far outnumber those coming from homes and businesses, leaving nearby residents scared for their safety and health. Over the past year thousands of non-structural fires have been sparked by homeless camps, causing toxic fumes and safety problems for people and property. Jerry May, president of the San Jose Fire...
Silicon Valley water agency flops on outreach ahead of sweeps
Santa Clara County’s largest water agency has begun banning homeless encampments on its property, reversing a commitment to let nonprofits and advocates do outreach prior to enforcing its new policy. Although Valley Water planned to start training nonprofit groups to provide information to homeless residents prior to enforcing an encampment ban on Jan. 2, that hasn’t...
San Jose health fair provides resources to homeless residents
For more than a decade, one California state senator has hosted an annual health and resource fair for homeless people, and every year he wishes he could do more. State Sen. Dave Cortese brought more than 50 organizations together at San Jose City Hall to offer a variety of services to dozens of homeless people...
San Jose residents hope city commits to homeless ‘no return zone’
San Jose officials plan to make one neighborhood a “no return zone” for homeless people after hearing safety concerns from residents — but the mayor couldn’t confirm a date. San Jose Action, a group of residents living along Great Oaks Parkway, met with Mayor Matt Mahan and District 2 Councilmember Pamela Campos Monday to share...
San Jose homeless shelter gets a facelift
San Jose’s largest congregate homeless shelter serving individuals has been updated to offer more privacy for residents. The 250-bed Boccardo Reception Center on Little Orchard Street, operated by nonprofit HomeFirst, has gone through a $150,000 renovation funded by Housing Industry Foundation. Upgrades include adding privacy panels between every bed, installing panels between the main shelter...
San Jose asks churches to lend a hand with housing
San Jose has a homelessness crisis — and the city is turning to religious institutions to lighten the load. Mayor Matt Mahan held a breakfast and two panel discussions Thursday to educate religious leaders on how church parking lots or empty spaces can be utilized for temporary or affordable housing. By the end of the event, nine...
Will Santa Clara County’s homeless count be accurate?
Hundreds of volunteers are fanning out across Santa Clara County to count how many homeless people are living on the street and find out how they got there. Every two years, the county participates in a two-day, federally mandated point-in-time count to gather information on the number of homeless people on streets and in shelters....
San Jose breaks ground on seventh tiny home facility
San Jose will add a seventh tiny home site to its temporary housing stock, giving dozens of people a roof over their head come fall. After more than two years, the Cherry Avenue tiny homes project is about to begin construction, with a planned opening in September. The $18.3-million project will provide temporary housing for...
Santa Clara County veterans still living in subpar conditions
Veterans living in a substandard housing facility in East San Jose said it’s getting worse, more than a year after Santa Clara County purchased it and months after a new service provider took over. The county purchased the facility at 10 Kirk Ave. in November 2023 for $14.5 million and contracted nonprofit Abode Services to...