San Jose mobile home residents say the city blindsided them by proposing changes that will increase rents. The Housing Department is considering an update to its mobile home rent policy that would include a one-time rent increase up to 10% whenever a mobile home is sold, among other changes. Under the existing policy, property owners...
Happy Hollow hosts Santa Clara County families for ‘Friendsgiving’
Santa Clara County families and advocates in the court system had a recent opportunity to enjoy time together over a Thanksgiving meal at a local park and zoo. Families in the Dependency Wellness Court and Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) programs shared in a “Friendsgiving” Nov. 15 at Happy Hollow Park & Zoo in San...
San Jose issues wage theft fine for affordable housing project
A subcontractor for an affordable housing project in San Jose is facing hundreds of thousands of dollars in city fines over alleged wage violations. The allegations center around the work to construct a seven-story apartment building located at 748-750 W. San Carlos St. known as Mariposa Place. San Jose Department of Public Works inspectors have cited...
Audit calls for changes after San Jose firefighter drug tampering
A city audit is recommending the San Jose Fire Department strengthen its drug tracking and inventory security after painkiller thefts by a firefighter led to patients receiving morphine from tampered vials. The audit, released Monday, recommends Fire Chief Robert Sapien’s department updates its policies on storage and access to paramedic drug kits, timing of inventory inspections, as...
San Jose to study apartments with single staircases
San Jose has taken its first tentative steps to soften longstanding building rules requiring all new apartment buildings — even relatively small ones — to include at least two stairways. Housing advocates have campaigned for years to scrap such requirements for mid-rise residential buildings, arguing they significantly add to the cost of constructing new homes....
Downtown San Jose business group selects new CEO
The San Jose Downtown Association is getting a new CEO, bringing with him experience and a fresh perspective. Brian Kurtz, a nationally recognized leader in downtown management and urban revitalization, has been selected as chief executive officer of the San Jose Downtown Association (SJDA). He starts in January and will carry out the nonprofit’s mission...
Silicon Valley lawmakers speak out against homeless housing cuts
Santa Clara County leaders have gathered to denounce President Donald Trump’s actions to cut funding for permanent housing programs. Congressmembers Sam Liccardo and Zoe Lofgren and others are calling for a reversal of these cuts, which would cap federal funds for permanent housing at 30% and shift the rest to temporary housing programs. The county...
San Jose safe parking site finds housing for homeless residents
In a short time, one homeless services provider operating a safe parking site has connected dozens of unhoused people to housing. In the eight months since the Berryessa safe parking site opened, nonprofit WeHOPE has moved 24 people into permanent housing and 11 people into temporary housing. That’s compared to the 15 residents moved from the Santa Teresa VTA light...
Can Mahan break the curse of San Jose mayors?
As the Capital of Silicon Valley, San Jose fuels global innovation — but despite the city’s considerable economic heft, its elected leaders still struggle to command political clout on a broader stage. The city, California’s third largest, has never produced a competitive candidate for governor in its modern history. And over the past 50 years,...
Where to find a free Thanksgiving meal or food box
People struggling with food insecurity will still be able to enjoy a Thanksgiving meal thanks to Bay Area nonprofits. High food prices and a delay in CalFresh food benefits — California’s version of the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program — have left an increasing number of people having to choose between paying for food, health care...