As the county’s shelter-in-place order shuttering the local economy puts more residents at risk of losing their homes, San Jose leaders voted unanimously to extend the city’s eviction to Oct. 17. The moratorium now coincides with the local emergency declaration, also set to end Oct. 17. Still, the debate about how to balance challenges faced...
San Jose officials support densifying single-family neighborhoods
San Jose took the first step to approve “opportunity housing,” an initiative to increase housing density in single-family neighborhoods — and it could be enacted citywide. “We are voting to explore a process,” said task force member Juan Estrada, who called the motion that was voted on hours later. “We can do better to undo...
Could this be the site of homeless housing in San Jose?
A new homeless housing community is being planned in San Jose — but it likely won’t be located near you. “We’re looking for a partnership,” said John Davis, retired Air Systems founder and primary funder of the project. “We don’t want to spend four years fighting with whoever is around us.” Davis, along with Barry...
Debate heats up as vote nears on San Jose ‘linkage fee’
As the long-awaited decision to charge commercial developers fees for affordable housing heads to the San Jose City Council Sept. 1, a feasibility study — along with a global pandemic — suggest the fee could be a death knell for business growth. Nevertheless, proponents of the Commercial Linkage Fee are turning up the heat. They...
UPDATE: Santa Clara City Council extends eviction moratorium
Rent is due again in two weeks, but Santa Clara city residents who aren’t able to pay because of COVID-19 will be able to stay in their homes through the end of September. The Santa Clara City Council Aug. 18 approved a temporary eviction moratorium through Sept. 30 to protect public health, preserve affordable housing...
‘Plan to End Homelessness’ in Santa Clara County unveiled
A consortium of agencies working to tackle one of Santa Clara County’s biggest concerns unveiled a long-term strategy Thursday with an epic goal: To end homelessness. Called the 2020-2025 Plan to End Homelessness, its recommendations include securing 14,000 homes for the homeless, doubling shelter bed space and establishing a homeless prevention system that now serves...
San Jose breaks ground on emergency housing for homeless
San Jose took another step to alleviate its homeless housing shortage by breaking ground Monday on the first of three emergency interim housing sites that will accommodate more than 100 beds each. Citing building restriction waivers that made it easier to get the project off the ground, Mayor Sam Liccardo said the houses are being...
UPDATE: Santa Clara County extends eviction moratorium through Sept. 30
The Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved extending eviction moratoriums through Sept. 30, giving tenants more time to pay back late rent without fear of eviction. With the state’s eviction moratorium set to expire Aug. 14, housing advocates called for an extension. The Santa Clara County court also began hearing eviction cases again,...
Policy to build dense housing in San Jose neighborhoods delayed
Amid public pressure, San Jose’s General Plan review committee postponed a vote on whether to study “opportunity housing,” a controversial initiative to build more homes in single-family neighborhoods. “Not all of our neighbors are on social media or can Zoom in order to be heard,” said resident Tim Clauson said during the public comment period. “Please...
San Jose launches rent mediation program before eviction moratorium expires
San Jose tenants suffering financial setbacks due to coronavirus have been protected by city, county and state eviction moratoriums since March. But with those temporary protections set to expire at the end of August, the city rolled out a mediation program this month to help landlords and tenants resolve rental disputes on their own. The...