San Jose officials have gotten stricter about labor protections over the last year, disqualifying companies with a history of wage theft from winning city contracts. But labor advocates say the city still isn’t doing enough to protect workers. South Bay labor leaders question whether companies with a history of lower level infractions and no state...
Housing
Housing
Historic downtown San Jose park revamp hit with major setback
The plan to turn a historic-yet-blighted downtown San Jose park into a major event venue as part of the city’s revitalization plans faces a major delay. After a four-year battle over a redesign of St. James Park between the city and the Saint Claire Club — the second oldest men’s club in California — the...
Santa Clara County may fund safe parking for homeless residents
Santa Clara County officials may help finance San Jose’s multimillion-dollar safe parking efforts and set up more sites on unused public property for the region’s homeless residents. The Board of Supervisors unanimously agreed on Tuesday to look into both possibilities and requested more information by May. Debate ensued over whether the funding could be justified...
San Jose mayor touts plan to end homelessness
San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan has a plan for the city’s homeless residents, ranging from temporary housing to encampment clearings, but the budget may not be able to support it. Mahan plans to push for more temporary housing, camp sweeps and a program that reconnects homeless people to their families as part of budget discussions for...
San Jose suits up to fight mold at future homeless housing site
A development site for homeless residents in South San Jose is blanketed in blue tarps to get rid of mold from months of neglect. After San José Spotlight broke the story on Sunday about pre-built homes arriving unfinished and in poor condition, the site is peppered in mold remediation signs over tarped buildings and employees...
Campbell warehouse approved after resident appeal falls flat
A Campbell warehouse project is moving forward in a small industrial section of the city, despite neighbors’ insistence that it will create an eyesore in their backyards. The Campbell City Council last Tuesday voted 3-2 to deny an appeal for revisions to the development from residents living behind the proposed site, located at 940-946 S. McGlincy Lane....
Housing for San Jose homeless residents is a ‘big mess’
A multimillion-dollar effort to put homeless people in pre-built housing — that San Jose officials championed as cheap and revolutionary — is delayed due to homes arriving unfinished. The $70-million three-story modular housing project that San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan and his predecessor Sam Liccardo heralded at 1 Branham Lane also has mold, plumbing and...
San Jose cuts cost of safe parking site in half
San Jose officials say they’ve found a way to cut the cost of a $16 million safe parking site for homeless residents in half, just months before it opens. City leaders announced Thursday a redesigned safe parking site planned for 1300 Berryessa Road that will offer sanctuary and services to homeless residents living in their RVs...
San Jose could fast-track homeless housing under state bill
Legislation to streamline homeless housing development is making its way through the state Senate. State Sen. Josh Becker has introduced Senate Bill 1395 to speed up the time it takes to build temporary housing in California. Becker is gathering support for his proposed legislation and came to San Jose on Monday to share his vision...
San Jose homeless residents on Microsoft land worry about sweep
About 40 homeless people are tucked away on a small parcel of land adjacent to busy Highway 237. The encampment sits around the same location where Microsoft plans to construct two data centers in San Jose near the Milpitas border. The unhoused residents said a Caltrans worker tipped them off to a looming sweep. Officials...