San Jose and Santa Clara County are set to receive tens of millions of dollars for homelessness prevention and housing. Gov. Gavin Newsom announced the latest round of funding last week, totaling $827 million across more than 100 communities, from the Homeless, Housing, Assistance and Prevention (HHAP) program. San Jose is getting $28.8 million and...
Silicon Valley homeless residents still eligible to vote
When Gary Diaz was homeless, all he could think about was how he was going to make it to the next day. Now that he’s staying at a temporary housing program at Tully Inn, he’s been able to get his head above water to do things that are important to him — and that includes...
San Jose leaders want to give developers more control
Downtown San Jose could see an economic boost if city officials adopt a potential initiative for fast tracking large developments. Mayor Matt Mahan and Councilmembers Dev Davis and Pam Foley are proposing an “Innovative Project Pathway Program” aimed at creating a streamlined approach to development in the downtown core. It would apply to developers interested in...
Santa Clara County homeless shelter model displaces seniors
Alma stared at her phone, rattled. She had just received a text from her case manager on Sept. 30 that she’d been evicted from the Sunnyvale homeless shelter while on the way back from work. With nowhere to go, she reverted to sleeping underneath the stairwell of a school. That week, temperatures reached a scorching...
San Jose homeless family memorializes poisoned dog
A homeless man and his son have built a Dia de los Muertos altar near a freeway overpass to honor his dog that was killed. Candles, marigolds, Christmas lights, skulls and drapes decorate the elaborate altar located at Seventh and East Virginia streets. At the center is a large framed picture of Nacho, Miguel Maruyama’s...
Renovated San Jose hotel houses formerly homeless residents
A newly renovated hotel in downtown San Jose has reopened its doors to house homeless residents. The 72-room Pacific Motor Inn has already welcomed dozens of residents, and by next week it will be full. The hotel, operated by nonprofit People Assisting the Homeless (PATH), will provide temporary housing, meals and supportive services as individuals...
San Jose Planning Commission says no to hospital expansion
The San Jose Planning Commission recommended denying plans to expand Good Samaritan Hospital based on its controversial owner — a stunning decision for a hospital that has been part of the community for decades. Commissioners voted 7-1 recommending against the hospital’s more than 1 million-square-foot expansion to the San Jose City Council. The final decision...
San Jose leaders approve Costco amid resident uproar
San Jose officials have greenlit the long-planned Westgate West Costco warehouse in what some residents describe as a once-thriving shopping center. While the San Jose City Council unanimously approved plans — with recusals from Councilmembers Pam Foley due to a financial conflict and Arjun Batra, who owns Costco shares — the decision was met with...
San Jose leaders prime old golf course for development
A shuttered golf course in East San Jose is ready for a future mixed-use housing project following city leaders’ recent adoption of development guidelines for the area. Months of community engagement with District 5 and District 8 residents led the San Jose City Council to unanimously agree earlier this month that any proposed housing development at the former Pleasant...
Silicon Valley water agency addresses impact of homelessness
Santa Clara County’s largest water district is weighing how to address the hundreds of homeless people living along local waterways — including potential penalties for those camped on district land. Valley Water officials on Friday hosted the Unhoused People and Environment Summit featuring district staff, housing nonprofits and county officials to discuss challenges and how...