New year, new goals — and San Jose officials are trying again to resolve the city’s homeless crisis. This week, the San Jose City Council unanimously approved its annual update of a five-year plan to end homelessness following a lengthy two- hour debate. The city will spend $50 million to subsidize affordable housing construction to bring 400...
Downtown San Jose apartments welcome formerly homeless seniors
Steven Lynch used to ride his bike past PATH Villas at 4th Street in San Jose every week, checking on the development’s progress. He hoped luck would roll his way and he’d secure a spot in one of the studio apartments, after five years of rotating between homeless shelters and his car. Lynch, 64, along...
San Jose wants to curb spike in homeless traffic deaths
Eduardo Almanza has been homeless on and off for years. He’s had a number of close calls with cars and the VTA light rail in San Jose, and he openly admits to becoming disoriented and ending up in the road. He said he’s seen friends with bruises and sprained ankles caused by drivers not paying...
San Jose safe parking for homeless residents delayed
San Jose is spending nearly $2 million to lease land it has yet to use for homeless people living in their vehicles—and councilmembers, residents and advocates want things done quicker. Land at 1300 Berryessa Road has sat vacant since last July. The city agreed to lease the 6.3-acre parcel at $1.7 million annually for at least...
San Jose homeless housing expansion highlights cost concerns
San Jose is allocating millions of dollars to double the capacity of its oldest temporary housing site for homeless residents, pushing long-term operating costs into overdrive. The Rue Ferrari site, located in South San Jose, is adding 134 beds at a cost of more than $30 million. The San Jose City Council unanimously approved the...
Hundreds died on Silicon Valley streets this year
San Jose and Santa Clara County have spent decades and millions of dollars trying to end homelessness, and while some progress has been made, thousands remain on the street each night—and hundreds die each year. In 2023, 201 unhoused people died on county streets, a number officials say is a grim reminder of a failure...
Santa Clara County extends homeless services contract amid controversy
Santa Clara County officials are moving ahead with a temporary contract extension for homeless support services, despite uneasiness over allegations of discrimination by the nonprofit provider. The Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday unanimously approved a three-month, $2 million contract extension with homeless service provider HomeFirst to operate the Boccardo Reception Center in...
San Jose resident nearly loses home from RV fire
Residents in San Jose’s Alameda neighborhood have concerns over the growing number of people living in vehicles, after an RV fire damaged property. While there are time limits for vehicles, including RVs, parking on a public street—no more than 72 hours—residents and business owners say these rules are not being enforced. The Nov. 26 RV fire that...
San Jose hotel converts to foster youth housing
Hope in the form of housing is becoming a reality for youth emerging from foster care or experiencing homelessness. Construction is underway to convert the 61-room Pavilion Inn, a former hotel on North Fourth Street in San Jose, into affordable, supportive housing to help young adults become self-sufficient and avoid a lifetime of homelessness. In...
Silicon Valley leaders question nonprofit on alleged discrimination
Two Santa Clara County city councils aired grievances to HomeFirst officials following a range of concerns related to services and allegations of racial discrimination. The Sunnyvale City Council heard a presentation Tuesday from HomeFirst Chief Executive Officer Andrea Urton and Chief Program Officer Kelly Vazquez about the nonprofit’s city support services and broader metrics countywide....