Recent efforts to redirect Measure E monies meant for affordable housing in San Jose have brought to light 13 of those projects waiting for city funding to start construction. That waitlist is keeping more than 1,500 new homes off the market. Housing Department officials reviewed the affordable housing projects after inviting developers last year to submit their plans for...
Condemned San Jose home sells after multiple offers
Land is California’s new gold, and the rush for a piece of it online might raise eyebrows when browsing the real estate listings. This month, a seven-bed, two-bathroom home on a 4,000 square-foot lot is on the market for nearly $700,000 in San Jose’s Burbank Neighborhood. It may sound like a bargain, but that’s because...
Santa Clara County proposes faster approval for backyard homes
“Backyard homes” are about to get easier and faster to build for residents living in unincorporated Santa Clara County. The Board of Supervisors on Tuesday unanimously signed off on providing residents within its jurisdiction two sets of pre-approved plans for building accessory dwelling units (ADUs), also known as granny flats or in-law units, on their...
Santa Clara County affordable housing sees huge funding drop
State and federal funding for affordable housing took a steep drop in Santa Clara County last year, putting more of a burden on local governments to address the housing crisis. The cuts in state and federal funding declined by 24%, resulting in a $225 million funding decrease for affordable housing, according to a report released...
East San Jose homeowners struggle with homeless neighbors
In the heart of East San Jose, eight cars line a popular street — some with boxes stacked on top or attached wagons — filled with the belongings of homeless people such as Francisco Pulido. The constant clashes he had with his mom and stepdad compelled him to leave home. The 37-year-old has lived in...
San Jose officials criticized amid calls for homeless services audit
Homeless advocates holding signs that said “Karen” and “Sweep Baby Sweep” disrupted two San Jose officials at a news conference calling for the city to audit its spending on homeless services. Councilmembers Bien Doan and Arjun Batra on Thursday called for an audit of how much San Jose is spending on supportive services, removing encampments,...
Los Gatos commits more funds for food, rent relief
Los Gatos seniors wait patiently to pick two food items, while eyeing tables piled with essentials such as meat and bread. Then it’s a free-for-all as roughly 70 participants load their arms and bags with groceries for the week. Janet Penney, 75 in June, sits down to chat with her friends and munch on banana...
Sunnyvale shelter gets new management, service model
A county-owned, 145-bed homeless shelter in Sunnyvale is changing operators and the community it serves. The Bill Wilson Center will become the new homeless service provider for the Sunnyvale Shelter starting in July, after receiving unanimous approval on May 21 on a potential $5 million contract from the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors. County...
San Jose motel residents move to other housing options
A San Jose program that put homeless people up in motels is ending, and participants aren’t thrilled with their options for where to go next. The city created the Temporary Housing Access Program in summer 2022 to provide rooms to unhoused residents enrolled in its employment program while the city was building emergency temporary housing in the parking lot of...
San Jose officials demand audit of homeless services
Spurred by a state audit that found San Jose spent more than $300 million on homelessness response, two officials want the city to conduct its own audit of how much is being spent on homeless services and programs. Councilmembers Bien Doan and Arjun Batra are hoping the information will give them a clearer picture of...