The math says it all. Santa Clara County can’t build temporary or permanent housing fast enough to address its growing homeless population. There are 10,711 homeless people in Santa Clara County, according to a point-in-time count conducted in January. But there are only 3,454 beds across 38 temporary shelters and programs countywide to help homeless...
Cupertino retail space to become townhomes
Dozens of townhomes will soon fill a key location in the heart of Cupertino that’s been vacant for years. The Cupertino City Council unanimously approved a 59-townhome development earler this month, located at 20770 to 20850 Stevens Creek Blvd. San Ramon-based SummerHill Homes will develop the project to replace two vacant buildings, formerly Fontana’s Italian...
Campbell volleys back and forth over pickleball permits
It’s a Silicon Valley battle for the ages — pickleball versus housing. The Campbell Planning Commission unanimously directed city staff Tuesday to explore a five-year conditional use permit on a pickleball facility expansion at The HUB Silicon Valley. But commissioners also questioned Campbell’s intent to impose this requirement on the entire facility, when the property...
West Valley primed for housing after CEQA changes
It’s going to be a lot harder to protest new housing in the West Valley. West Valley residents and municipalities will have a difficult time fighting contentious housing projects using the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), thanks to two new bills that became law last month: Senate Bill 131 and Assembly Bill 130. The legal...
Downtown Santa Clara revitalization slow to start
Santa Clara’s neglected downtown took a key turn toward revitalization in 2023, but there’s been little movement since. Market conditions and complex policies have slowed the progress since its approval. Frustrated residents want Santa Clara to move on developing six acres owned by the city as identified in the Downtown Precise Plan. The other 21...
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San Jose safe sleeping site slated to open next month
San Jose’s first sanctioned homeless encampment is opening next month following site construction delays. The vacant lot at 1157 E. Taylor St. is scheduled to open in August and will allow up to 56 people to sleep in tents without fear of being swept. Mayor Matt Mahan said last year the safe sleeping site would...
San Jose to cite and tow vehicles with expired tags
San Jose plans to clamp down on vehicles with expired tags, which will affect thousands of homeless residents across the city. Starting Aug. 17, vehicles with a registration more than six months out of date may be immediately towed without warning. This crackdown on expired registration will hit homeless people living in their vehicles. The...
Long-delayed Santa Clara project cuts office space
The behemoth development across the street from Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara has received a key nod from city officials to help it move forward. The City Council approved a general plan change for Related Santa Clara to rezone about 98 acres of office space to light industrial in the 240-acre project. The vote was split...
Santa Clara County homeless Latinos fall through safety net
Despite Latinos making up a large portion of the Santa Clara County’s homeless population, the group tends to be invisible. The Latino homeless population has exploded over the years. In 2007, Latinos made up 28% of Santa Clara County’s homeless residents, peaking at 47% in 2022 — they’re now 40% of the homeless population, according...
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San Jose homeless population is still rising
San Jose’s homeless population has ticked up despite ongoing investments to build temporary housing. Silicon Valley’s largest city has 6,503 homeless residents, up 237 people from a 2023 point-in-time count, according to data shared by San Jose. About 60% is unsheltered, or 3,959 people, and 2,544 are sheltered. The city’s homeless population peaked in 2022...