After nearly two harrowing decades of living on the streets, Kellie Goodman finally has the keys to her first San Jose apartment. “I cried,” Goodman told San José Spotlight. “Then I took a long shower and jumped into bed. I haven’t been able to do that for a long time.” Goodman, who used to work...
Housing
Housing
Santa Clara expects increase in homeless residents
Santa Clara wants to address homelessness throughout the city, as officials expect the number of unhoused residents has grown during the COVID-19 pandemic. Advocates and residents discussed the prevalence of homelessness in Santa Clara during a Tuesday meeting of the city’s eight-member homelessness task force, which launched at the end of April and meets monthly...
UPDATE: San Jose officials approve housing at VTA train station
San Jose is one step closer to seeing more commuters living next to their neighborhood transit stops. On Tuesday, the San Jose City Council unanimously approved hundreds of residences near the Blossom Hill light rail station. The project is part of VTA’s long-term plan to develop its land along the agency’s transit corridors. By leasing...
San Jose needs better planning to reach housing goals
San Jose has a hefty goal to build 62,200 homes in the next eight years, but it won’t meet that goal without drastically changing its approach. With the city working to update its plan for future housing, officials aim to spend money to subsidize affordable housing, strategically place development in areas that are equitable and...
Looking to rent in Silicon Valley? Get in line
Silicon Valley remains one of the most sought after rental markets in California, despite being one of the most costly. In a new study by apartment search site RentCafe, Silicon Valley ranked 8 out of 11 top rental markets in the state. The study looked at the number of renters competing for an apartment, occupancy and vacancy...
UPDATE: San Jose reconsiders homeless housing at park
San Jose may pause plans to construct tiny homes in the north part of the city, following fervent backlash from neighbors. On Wednesday, the city’s Rules and Open Government Committee unanimously approved potentially stopping plans for homeless housing at a park on Noble Avenue. The full San Jose City Council will weigh the decision at...
UPDATE: West San Jose housing and hotel plan advances
A major West San Jose development is moving forward with hundreds of apartments and a hotel instead of office space. The San Jose Planning Commission unanimously approved plans Wednesday for the Stevens Creek Promenade, located at Stevens Creek Boulevard and Lopina Way. The project is changing its office space to a six-story hotel at the...
Cesar Chavez’s San Jose home to become community center
The family home of one of San Jose’s greatest activists will be transformed into a community center, continuing his work for future generations. Nonprofit Amigos de Guadalupe, with the city’s help, purchased the the family home of Cesar Chavez this week. The historical landmark at 53 Scharff Ave. in East San Jose has been in...
San Jose coalition must raise six-figures to fund homeless center
A plan to transform a vacant building near downtown into a homeless hub may fall apart unless advocates raise a miraculous sum of money in about a week. A coalition, made up of homeless advocates, religious leaders and nonprofits, wants to turn the former Apollo Adult Day Care building at 303 N. 15th St. into...
San Jose affordable housing policy delayed
Affordable housing is a rare find in Silicon Valley, but one policy could make it more attainable—if it ever makes it back to the City Council. The Community Opportunity to Purchase Act, or COPA, is a policy that would give qualified nonprofits first rights to make an offer on a residential property and keep more...