Struggling to make a living and plagued by abusive relationships, San Jose native Brenda Nichols fell into alcoholism and homelessness where she spent the last 10 years fighting for a way out. In 2019, she finally qualified for housing and was ready to turn her life around. But years of drinking and living on the...
It’s all about sports at the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds
Santa Clara County has big plans for its 160-acre piece of land at the fairgrounds, but if it doesn’t include a ball, bat or hurdles, well then—no deal. Since January, county officials have entered into three negotiating agreements with various organizations that envision a new future at the fairgrounds. Supervisor Cindy Chavez announced this week...
San Jose State student housing protest turns into unexpected win
“Fight! Fight! Fight! Housing is a human right,” and “No more loans, give students homes,” shouted members of the Student Homeless Alliance as they marched across the San Jose State University campus on Wednesday. They stopped at places used by homeless students to shower or sleep, when something extraordinary happened. SJSU Interim President Dr. Stephen...
San Jose council review: Google plans microgrid, homeless to have say on housing
A homeless advocate on the housing commission. Slicing off funds for the unhoused. Digital literacy grants and plans for a Google microgrid had San Jose councilmembers talking on Tuesday. Here’s a breakdown of the April 19 City Council meeting: Housing commission expands The City Council unanimously approved adding another seat to its 13-member Housing and...
San Jose nonprofit cooks up job training for the homeless
One San Jose nonprofit may have discovered a way to lower food insecurity and increase the culinary workforce simultaneously—and the timing couldn’t be better. Loaves & Fishes Family Kitchen is building a culinary jobs training program to help low-income and homeless people develop employment skills to lift them out of poverty. The nonprofit will hire...
Silicon Valley officials share solutions to growing homelessness
Downtown San Jose residents and business owners are growing frustrated and concerned at what they see as an increase of homeless people who need immediate crisis intervention and mental health help. The issue came to a boiling point this week after an unhoused person assaulted a San Jose Downtown Association worker while cleaning graffiti. “Our groundwork staff...
State law offers little help to struggling San Jose renters
California has extended eviction protections for millions of residents, but advocates fear it’s too little and too late to help thousands of San Jose tenants on the brink of losing their homes. Lt. Governor Eleni Kounalakis, acting in Gov. Gavin Newsom’s absence, recently signed legislation to temporarily protect Californians from eviction for past due rent if...
San Jose council review: Homeless report, mental health response
Homelessness, mental health response, cost-saving recommendations and fee decreases to incentivize commercial development were the hot topics at Tuesday’s San Jose City Council meeting. Here’s the weekly breakdown: Annual Homeless Report Despite the hardships exacerbated by COVID-19, the city’s housing department said it has made notable progress on San Jose’s 2020-2025 plan to end homelessness....
San Jose to lease VTA lot for safe parking program
Unhoused people living in their RVs will soon be able to sleep safely at a sanctioned location in South San Jose. City officials told homeless advocates this week that San Jose is almost ready to sign a 5-year lease with VTA to start a new safe parking program at the Santa Teresa station’s parking lot. The...
San Jose escalates efforts to clear homeless encampment
With the deadline to clear one of the Bay Area’s largest homeless camps looming, San Jose has started towing cars and RVs near Columbus Park this week—a move that has prompted concern from advocates and homeless residents. With no advance notice, the city put up towing signs throughout the 18 acres area near Columbus Park...