As San Jose sweeps its last large homeless encampment known as “the Jungle,” some residents say the city has reneged on its promises of housing. City officials claimed they had shelter beds for all 109 residents who originally lived at the East San Jose homeless camp across from Happy Hollow Park and Zoo. Camp residents...
San Jose shelter is a stop on the way to permanent housing
A homeless shelter in San Jose is set to serve as the launching point for residents to transition to permanent housing. The Arena Hotel, which the city converted into a shelter in 2023, will serve as a temporary location for people receiving federal housing vouchers. Starting May 1, the hotel will be one of three...
San Jose starts clearing homeless camp known as ‘the Jungle’
San Jose has begun dismantling its last large homeless encampment after weeks of outreach and offers of housing. Workers on Wednesday tore down tents and makeshift homes along Coyote Creek across from Happy Hollow Park & Zoo — an area known as “the Jungle.” As the city started clearing the encampment, which had become home to...
Silicon Valley homeless nonprofit CEO is out
One of Silicon Valley’s most prolific homeless service providers is changing leadership, after reports of its mismanagement of a large South San Jose shelter led to a terminated contract. Nonprofit LifeMoves announced CEO Aubrey Merriman is transitioning out of his role in an April 8 email sent to workers. Chief Operating Officer Nick Hodges is replacing Merriman...
Silicon Valley lawmaker secures millions for veteran housing
The redevelopment of a San Jose housing site for veterans has been bolstered with funding secured by a Silicon Valley lawmaker. Congressman Ro Khanna has secured a more than $3 million grant for the veterans shelter at 10 Kirk Ave. in East San Jose. The money will be used for site improvements that include a...
State housing law could change Campbell’s small city vibe
Campbell could add 40,000 homes — more than tripling the city’s current population — under a new state law aimed at boosting housing near public transit stations. The City Council is working on plans to manage the huge surge in potential development being triggered by Senate Bill 79. The bill, effective July 1, could massively...
Divided San Jose council approves police housing preference
A measure to allow San Jose Police Department personnel to jump to the front of the line in a new workforce housing effort has won approval. But the victory comes only after sharp dissent on the City Council, amid criticism the plan is unfair to other city workers. The amendment, which modifies a recently approved...
Cupertino council declines to reconsider housing project
Cupertino officials have declined to reconsider approvals for an affordable housing development in light of an ongoing lawsuit from residents who claim the decision was rushed. The City Council on April 1 voted 4–1 against reconsidering the Mary Avenue Villas housing project, which the council previously approved in February. The lawsuit — filed March 11 against...
San Jose looks to cut homeless shelter operating costs
San Jose has doubled the number of homeless shelters it operates over the past year and a half — and with that comes staggering operational costs that will require creative cuts. The city is projecting its shelters will rack up $94 million in maintenance and operating costs in the upcoming fiscal year. This eye-popping figure...
Cupertino council approves housing in high fire risk area
A Cupertino housing development proposed in a high fire risk area is moving forward despite resident concerns about evacuation safety and traffic congestion. The Cupertino City Council on Wednesday voted 4-1 to approve a 51-townhome project on a 2.5-acre site along Linda Vista Drive, where residents say limited evacuation routes could take more than an hour...