The nation’s 10th largest city lost residents at its highest rate last year and is among the slowest-growing South Bay cities in the past decade, according to population estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau. San Jose, the most populous city in Santa Clara County with 1.01 million residents, lost almost 13,000 people between 2019 and 2020. That’s roughly...
San Jose nonprofit faces accusations of bedbugs, mildew in apartments
Zack Anderson only pays about $350 a month in rent thanks to housing subsidies from a local nonprofit—but not for the past eight months. He said he’s been holding off on payments because his South San Jose apartment is infested with bedbugs, mildew and needs urgent maintenance. The apartment is managed by Downtown Streets Team,...
Racial segregation runs deep in San Jose, report says
While activists maintain that San Jose’s housing policies are inherently segregated, a study undertaken by the city shows just how deep racial disparities go. “The main takeaway is the legacy of past segregation is still very much alive,” said Kristen Clements, division manager of the policy group within the city’s housing department. “It’s still visible...
Will Google hire San Jose workers? It might be too early to tell
Two weeks ago, San Jose approved the largest development in its existence: Downtown West, Google’s 80-acre campus near Diridon Station. Google estimates that up to 25,000 people will work at the downtown offices. Just how many of those will be local hires is still unclear. According to Google spokesperson Michael Appel, it’s too early to...
San Jose leaders call for gun control after VTA shooting
Less than two weeks ago, San Jose leaders gathered at City Hall to mourn the nine victims of the May 26 VTA light rail yard shooting. With the city still reeling from the shooting, elected officials gathered again Tuesday to propose local gun control measures, including rules that would require all gun owners to carry liability insurance...
Declining unemployment buoys Silicon Valley’s economic recovery
Silicon Valley’s unemployment rate is dropping after the economic roller coaster of the COVID-19 pandemic. But some business sectors could take years to rebound. Local unemployment was below 3% prior to the pandemic, said Bige Yilmaz, economic data analyst for San Jose. After a turbulent year, it now sits at about 5.5%. “In terms of...
San Jose’s largest temporary emergency shelter to close
COVID-19 restrictions in the region are winding down, and so is San Jose’s largest temporary emergency shelter. South Hall, an 80,000-square foot space at the San Jose McEnery Convention Center in downtown, will shutter its emergency COVID-19 shelter by July 15. It will be cleaned and turned over to Team San Jose, the city’s visitor and...
South Bay leaders weigh-in on federal relief funding
As the COVID-19 pandemic ravaged the nation, many cities and towns took a financial hit as tax revenue dried up and public health expenditures increased. But now the federal government is doling out funds to help communities recover. San Jose and Santa Clara County are receiving approximately $212 and $374 million, respectively, from the American...
Who tops the list of highest-paid San Jose employees?
As San Jose braces for unprecedented financial deficits caused by the pandemic, the city broke its record in employee compensation, with 34 officials netting more than $400,000 in pay and benefits last year. Seven of the 10 top-paid city employees worked at the San Jose Police Department, many of whom earned more in overtime than their salary....
Amid rising tensions, San Jose Flea Market owners offer $2M to vendors
The owners of the iconic San Jose Flea Market are offering to pay $2 million to a fund to support vendors who for months have protested a development plan they say pushes them out. The owners, the Bumb family, have also proposed a contribution of up to $500,000 to match donations from residents to help...