San Jose is cleaning up state-owned land in an attempt to keep freeway underpasses free of homeless encampments. San Jose and Caltrans have an agreement that allows the city to clean up trash and sweep encampments on 13 sites owned by the state. California will partially reimburse the costs up to $400,000, and the city is in...
San Jose homeless hotel gets new management
A San Jose hotel converted to homeless housing is switching operators, and residents are welcoming the change. Nonprofit service provider WeHope will take over the Arena Hotel at 817 The Alameda starting Dec. 1 and replace HomeFirst. It will provide case management and temporarily manage the property, security and food until San Jose hires another...
San Jose homeless audit highlights failed accountability
San Jose’s homeless outreach efforts have been more concerned about volume than outcomes, and there is little accountability when homeless support nonprofits did not provide adequate services. A city audit of San Jose’s homelessness services released in October found some nonprofits did not meet performance targets or reporting requirements, and the Housing Department failed to...
San Jose homeless housing site doubles capacity
One San Jose tiny home site has added more than 100 beds to house homeless residents, becoming the 10th temporary housing location to open or expand this year. Rue Ferrari has become the city’s largest tiny home site, housing up to 266 formerly homeless individuals. The expansion has more than doubled its capacity, adding 108 tiny...
San Jose homeless motel parking overflow could close eatery
San Jose’s zealous efforts to move homeless people out of Columbus Park and into motels over the summer has inadvertently impacted one business owner who might have to close. Bernadette Garcia, owner of a longstanding Mexican restaurant, Los Garcias, said the city never informed her of its plans to convert the neighboring Alura Inn into...
Santa Clara County expected to lose millions in housing grants
Federal funds for permanent supportive housing programs are expected to be substantially parred down, putting hundreds of Santa Clara County residents at risk of becoming homeless. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) plans to cap the amount of Continuum of Care grants that can be used for permanent housing to 30% for...
Cupertino’s homeless percentage skyrockets
One city saw the highest percentage increase in homelessness across Santa Clara County in two years — and it comes as no surprise to advocates. Cupertino’s homeless population surged 110.4% between 2023 and 2025, from 48 unhoused, unsheltered residents to 101. The city of about 60,000, home to Apple’s headquarters, topped Palo Alto, which increased 102.9% from...
Chronic homelessness worsens in Santa Clara County
A startling trend has hit Santa Clara County over the past two years — more people have fallen into homeless for the first time and can’t find a way out. Santa Clara County’s 2025 point-in-time count found 4,650 people have been homeless for a year or longer, with a disabling condition that makes maintaining work...
State bill could put Silicon Valley homeless shelters under scrutiny
A new state bill could bring more accountability to homeless shelters in Santa Clara County. Assembly Bill 750 aims to provide more oversight of homeless shelters across the state by requiring local governments to inspect facilities and produce yearly reports on their conditions. The bill, introduced by Assemblymember Sharon Quirk-Silva, could also see California withhold funding...
San Jose homeless residents shuffled around after being swept
Dozens of people living in RVs are scrambling to find another location after San Jose cleared out Columbus Park. Last month, the city started sweeping Columbus Park where roughly 370 people lived in tents, vehicles and makeshift shelters. By Sept. 15, the park had been completely cleared and the city installed fences to prevent re-encampment....