Amid a tsunami of cuts to the nation’s social safety nets, a golden nugget in the congressional budget bill will allow developers to create more affordable housing. H.R. 1 provides an increase to the Low Income Housing Tax Credit program, the primary source of federal funding for affordable housing. Starting next year, states will be...
Future of East San Jose youth center uncertain after fire
A devastating fire that recently gutted a vacant youth center in East San Jose hasn’t diminished the community’s desire to restore it for future use. The former Mexican American Community Services Agency (MACSA) building burned down Friday, breaking the hearts of Eastside advocates who want to revitalize and reuse the space. The Alum Rock Union...
Sunnyvale has found the secret to downtown’s success
Sunnyvale has found the blueprint for creating a prosperous downtown. Officials have figured out how to balance retail, housing and offices in the city’s core, even with an aggressive plan to build out nearly 1 million square feet of new office space in downtown. Sunnyvale is confident it will attract employers with its live, work...
Los Gatos eyes high-end restaurant, furniture gallery combo
A high-class restaurant and furniture gallery concept could come to an empty corner of downtown Los Gatos. The Planning Commission unanimously voted Wednesday to recommend granting a conditional use permit to RH, a luxury home goods company with plans to open a restaurant and gallery at 31 University Ave. The Corte Madera-based company — known...
San Jose sanctioned homeless camp set to open
San Jose is opening its first safe sleeping site for homeless residents next week after construction delays. The vacant lot at 1157 E. Taylor St. will allow up to 56 people to sleep in tents without fear of being swept, and includes eight ADA-accessible tents. The site is meant to serve as a navigation center...
Santa Clara County scores millions for affordable housing project
Gov. Gavin Newsom has awarded three California communities millions of dollars for affordable housing — and Santa Clara County hit the jackpot. The Algarve Apartments received $40 million in state Project Homekey+ funding to begin construction on the $79 million project in San Jose. When completed in October 2027, the development will provide 90 apartments...
Fines to skyrocket for San Jose blighted property owners
San Jose leaders are raising the maximum daily fines for absentee landowners whose properties attract blight and crime — an aggressive signal that one official says makes the city’s penalties some of the highest in the state. The City Council on Tuesday unanimously approved raising daily penalties from $2,500 to a maximum of $20,000 for...
Cupertino spars with state over developments
The state is not on board with Cupertino’s interpretation of legislation that determines when a development proposal expires. The city is fighting back despite legal uncertainty. Cupertino officials sent a response to the California Department of Housing and Community Development earlier this month, defending their reading of the timeline developers have to resubmit a preliminary...
Valley Water land sees reduction in San Jose homeless camps
As efforts to clean up trash and clear homeless residents from local waterways continue, officials are working to make sure people don’t just move from one location to the next due to lack of housing. Valley Water has removed 462 homeless encampments from its land since implementing a no camping policy at the end of...
San Jose homeless residents wait for temporary housing
Homeless residents from Columbus Park are beginning to move into temporary housing as San Jose continues clearing the city’s largest encampment. While they said they’re thankful for shelter, they worry how they’ll stay housed long term. San Jose started sweeping Columbus Park Monday and clearing out trash, vehicles and tents. The park has been home...