San Jose State University is missing out on a sizable pot of state money for affordable housing. While 26 California universities received portions of a $1.4 billion affordable housing grant to build needed below-market housing for students, San Jose State University—with a homeless student population of 11.2% according to a spring 2021 SJSU basic needs...
San Jose has no plans to address vacant homes
Amid an ongoing housing crisis, thousands of San jose homes are sitting empty—but City Hall has no plan to address it. The latest U.S. Census data shows 13,769 San Jose homes were not occupied in 2020. Vacant properties include those for rent, waiting to be sold and those not on the market, which may have been left...
San Jose mayor travels to France on environmental group’s dime
San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo took an all-expenses paid trip to France this past week, and the timing is raising some eyebrows. The Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority and Terre & Cité, a French environmental nonprofit, paid $3,021 for the mayor’s trip to Plateau de Saclay, a town just south of Paris. Liccardo and...
San Jose mayor candidate attacks opponent over abortion
One month after the June primary election, the San Jose mayoral race is already heating up, with candidates taking jabs at each other. This week, Santa Clara County Supervisor Cindy Chavez sent a campaign email to supporters with a video accusing her opponent, San Jose Councilmember Matt Mahan, of being inconsistent in his support for women’s rights....
UPDATE: San Jose commissioners approve Cambrian Park Plaza redesign
A mixed-use development five years in the making is moving forward in San Jose following a recent Planning Commission vote. On Tuesday, commissioners voted unanimously to recommend the City Council proceed with Cambrian Village, a development that will redesign a 1950s-era shopping center at Camden and Union avenues in San Jose. The parcel is being...
San Jose police memorial sparks controversy
A new memorial that honors fallen police officers in San Jose is causing a stir for some who say it’s a slap in the face to families affected by police violence. The sculpture, which will sit at the police administration building, commemorates the 13 San Jose police officers killed since 1924. It is expected to go...
You might see more beat cops in San Jose neighborhoods
San Jose is ready to bring back police foot patrols to address rising safety concerns and build trust with residents, a service that has not gotten consistent funding for decades. The City Council unanimously approved a proposal from Mayor Sam Liccardo last month to fund 16 police to patrol San Jose streets. The program, which costs...
Safe parking set for South San Jose homeless residents
South San Jose residents are up in arms over a plan to turn a light rail station parking lot into a space for homeless people to park and live in RVs. More than 100 people showed up to a virtual community meeting Wednesday led by Councilmember Sergio Jimenez’s office to share concerns over a safe parking program at the VTA...
San Jose franchisees say state bill will put them out of business
Brian Hom’s work at Vitality Bowl is a labor of love and an ode to his son. Hom, 64, bought the franchise in 2016 because he was inspired by the company’s mission to provide allergy-free food options. It’s an issue near and dear to his heart. His eldest son died after going into anaphylactic shock...
San Jose’s oldest 4th of July parade invigorates businesses
San Jose’s oldest Independence Day parade is not only a favorite among local residents, but also small businesses. The Rose, White and Blue parade and festival has been around since 1901, drawing hundreds of people every year. A decked out parade filled with lowriders, classic cars, patriotic floats and festive vehicles grace Alameda and Naglee...