San Jose residents want a neighborhood improvement initiative to restart after it sunsetted last June due to lack of funding. Community organizer Jaime Angulo created the Responsible Landlord Engagement Initiative (RLEI) in 2010 to help neighbors resolve issues they faced on their block — whether it was an unruly tenant, a group home where neighbors...
Feds expand lawsuit against corporate San Jose landlords
Landlords with ties to Silicon Valley have been targeted by the U.S. Justice Department in its growing effort to to stop property owners from using tech software to influence rent prices. Federal officials on Tuesday added six corporate landlords to an existing lawsuit against RealPage, a company accused of providing property management software used to maximize rent...
San Jose tenant illegally ran an unlicensed independent living home
A San Jose landlord has filed a complaint to evict a tenant operating an unlicensed business at her property without her knowledge. Nelson Muan signed a lease agreement with Angela To in 2013. He then, unbeknownst to her, illegally converted the property on 659 N. 13th St. into an unlicensed independent living home. Muan converted...
Silicon Valley commercial vacancy rates pass 20%
Silicon Valley companies are adjusting their needs for in-person work spaces as employees refuse to go back to the office. Commercial vacancy rates continue to climb, even though development is making a comeback, according to a December report from Joint Venture Silicon Valley and commercial real estate firm JLL Silicon Valley. Vacancy rates are up...
Rental listing scams are up in Santa Clara County
Rental listing scams are becoming more elaborate, with local authorities warning residents to take caution. When Shereen Jarrett was searching for an affordable apartment during the months she was homeless, numerous red flags popped up. After visiting properties, she learned there were no vacancies and the person claiming to be the property owner was an...
Cupertino renters may get a reprieve from losing their homes
Cupertino residents facing displacement because of rising costs and expiring contracts may find a reprieve through new city policy. The Cupertino Housing Commission unanimously recommended implementing anti-displacement policies last month to help residents living in 114 affordable homes where rents will likely skyrocket to market-rate value by 2040. The policies include a push to prioritize...
Los Gatos resident aims to erase racist language in property deeds
Los Gatos resident Gordon Yamate remembers overhearing a conversation between his parents when he was in third grade. They had decided to move back to the West Valley from San Jose, but didn’t feel comfortable returning to his mother’s hometown of Los Gatos. The rejection by developers was subtle but clear — Asian American families...
Santa Clara County assessor faces first 2026 challenger
With almost 30 years of experience, a Silicon Valley property tax collector is quite protective of his elected post — especially with cash-strapped schools and public services at risk. But that doesn’t mean his reelection can’t be challenged. Santa Clara County Assessor Larry Stone faces an emerging political opponent in the termed-out Saratoga Mayor Yan...
New luxury apartments could boost downtown San Jose
Business and city leaders are touting the recent opening of a 23-story apartment building as a major win in the effort to bring more people into downtown San Jose. Representatives of Boston-based developer Morro, San Jose Downtown Association leaders and Mayor Matt Mahan earlier this month celebrated the opening of The Fay at 10 E....
Affordable housing preserved for East San Jose families
An affordable housing group is celebrating its biggest win to date after San Jose officials approved the permanent preservation of 18 homes. The South Bay Community Land Trust has spent nearly two years engaging with residents, city leaders and the landlords at 1718, 1724 and 1730 Virginia Ave. in an effort to purchase the apartments...