HomeFirst CEO Andrea Urton is stepping down, leaving questions about the future of one of Santa Clara County’s largest homeless support service providers. The group’s board of directors said today Urton’s departure is effective immediately. She led the nonprofit through expansions and setbacks during her nine-year tenure. In recent years, HomeFirst has come under intense...
San Jose homeless motel transfer delay impacts residents
A San Jose motel riddled with mold and roaches that houses formerly homeless residents is in ownership limbo as a continued slew of problems plague the property no matter who operates it. The former SureStay, a motel-turned-housing site that provides rooms for older adults and disabled individuals, was supposed to change ownership from San Jose to...
Will Supreme Court ruling change San Jose’s homeless policy?
San Jose homeless resident Antonio de Viche prefers the streets to shelter or temporary housing, where he doesn’t feel safe. But that could all change with today’s U.S. Supreme Court decision that will allow cities to ban homeless people from sleeping outside. The Supreme Court ruled in a 6-3 decision that it is not unconstitutional...
Silicon Valley officials worry about homeless shelter transition
Homeless residents, advocates and local officials have questions about the Sunnyvale Shelter as the facility changes nonprofit operators. The Santa Clara County-owned, 145-bed homeless shelter will change operators on July 1 from HomeFirst to the Bill Wilson Center. Residents are fearful they will be kicked out as the shelter switches from serving unhoused individuals to...
San Jose has 4th highest homeless population in U.S.
San Jose has the fourth highest number of homeless people per capita in the U.S. based on a recent survey, and advocates blame it on multiple problems. An Insider Monkey report shows that for every 100,000 people per capita, San Jose has 363 residents that are homeless. New York City ranks third, Los Angeles ranks...
UPDATE: San Jose to study potential cost of safe sleeping sites
San Jose officials came through on their promise to add safe sleeping sites throughout the city as they come closer to getting homeless residents off the streets and the waterways cleaned up. In order to reach the city’s goal of moving people living along the waterways, the San Jose City Council on Tuesday voted unanimously...
Santa Clara County addresses Shigella spread in homeless camps
A bacterial outbreak has emerged among homeless individuals living at San Jose encampments in Columbus and Roosevelt parks, but health officials say the risk to the general public is low. Three confirmed cases of Shigella, a highly contagious intestinal bacteria, were identified between June 3-17. Two individuals have been hospitalized and four people are being evaluated....
Willow Glen residents oppose homeless safe sleeping site
Willow Glen residents are protesting a proposal to turn a vacant lot in their neighborhood into a city-sanctioned homeless encampment, or safe sleeping site. About 50 people rallied Saturday at the intersection of Willow and Lelong streets against the idea, citing neighborhood issues they believe stem from nearby homeless residents. City officials have revisited the...
San Jose shifts affordable housing funds to tackle waterway encampments
San Jose leaders have dealt a blow to affordable housing advocates after diverting affordable housing funds to temporarily shelter homeless residents living along city waterways. The San Jose City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to redirect affordable housing funds from Measure E. They also unanimously approved Mayor Matt Mahan’s June budget message, which includes proposals for...
East San Jose homeowners struggle with homeless neighbors
In the heart of East San Jose, eight cars line a popular street — some with boxes stacked on top or attached wagons — filled with the belongings of homeless people such as Francisco Pulido. The constant clashes he had with his mom and stepdad compelled him to leave home. The 37-year-old has lived in...