San Jose has problems with slumlords and now they have problems with vanlords. City officials are targeting vanlords, individuals who they said prey on the homeless residents by renting them inoperable vehicles. Mayor Matt Mahan along with Councilmembers Bien Doan, Michael Mulcahy and David Cohen want to study ways to restrict renting RVs to homeless...
San Jose extends downtown sidewalk sleeping ban hours
San Jose homeless residents are at risk of being cited or arrested if they’re caught sleeping or sitting on the sidewalk by early morning. The City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to extend sidewalk sleeping and sitting restrictions two hours early in the morning starting at 8 a.m. to 12 a.m. Known as the “pedestrian facilitation...
San Jose landlords want help instead of fines
South San Jose property owners want code enforcement to spend more time working with them on potential violations rather than punishing them. District 10 Councilmember George Casey arranged for landlords and San Jose Planning, Building and Code Enforcement officials to tour a neighborhood on Feb. 28 between Blossom Hill Road and Almaden Expressway. Landlords want...
San Jose could jail homeless residents for refusing shelter
The mayor of San Jose wants to penalize homeless people who refuse shelter by arresting or hospitalizing them, punting the service-resistant onto Santa Clara County for care. Mayor Matt Mahan unveiled his “Responsibility to Shelter” initiative Thursday, where homeless people who choose not to accept shelter after three attempts within an 18-month period will be...
Sunnyvale houses homeless residents in hotels after sweep
Sunnyvale is trying a new approach to homeless encampment sweeps by putting people in motels and giving them an opportunity to make necessary life changes. The city on Feb. 26 placed about 25 unhoused people in 18 rooms across two Larkspur Landing hotels — one in Sunnyvale and one in Milpitas — for 30 days,...
Los Gatos to replace landmark hotel with housing
A large townhome development will replace a decades-old iconic Los Gatos hotel. The Los Gatos Town Council unanimously approved a 155-townhome development Tuesday to replace the Los Gatos Lodge. Councilmember Mary Badame recused herself because of her home’s proximity to the site. San Ramon-based SummerHill Homes will develop the project at 50 Los Gatos-Saratoga Road on...
San Jose opens second safe parking site
With San Jose’s second safe parking site opening, dozens of homeless people living in RVs have a place to land without fear of getting swept — and can be connected to services to help them get back on their feet. The safe parking site at 1300 Berryessa Road welcomed eight RVs Monday, its first day...
Santa Clara County asks state to help fund affordable housing
State funding could be the answer for a long-awaited affordable housing development to begin construction. Santa Clara County is applying for up to $40.5 million in Project Homekey+ funding for the Algarve Apartments at 1135 E. Santa Clara St. next to Roosevelt Park in San Jose. When completed, the development will have 91 homes —...
San Jose approves hundreds of affordable homes at historic site
A 15-story multifamily affordable housing development is about to become part of downtown San Jose’s SoFA district after almost a decade of planning. San Jose Planning Director Chris Burton approved the 220-apartment development, known as Gateway Tower, at a Wednesday hearing. The complex will be 100% affordable housing, including 55 permanent supportive apartments and 165...
San Jose wants to send homeless people back to families
San Jose is launching a program to relocate and reunify homeless people with their families as the city strives to end unsheltered homelessness. Homeward Bound, a pilot program proposed by Mayor Matt Mahan, will send outreach workers to make contact with homeless individuals and pay for transportation costs to bus them out of the city....