As the city copes with the ongoing economic impacts of the coronavirus outbreak, San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo announced in his recent budget message that he wants to shift public dollars to prioritize housing and homelessness, while cutting back on city spending in the event of an economic downturn. The mayor’s budget message, which was...
San Jose adopts a ban on evictions amid coronavirus outbreak
Fearing severe economic consequences to vulnerable San Jose families, city lawmakers on Tuesday unanimously approved adopting a moratorium on evictions for residents who can’t pay rent because of lost income resulting from the coronavirus outbreak. As the virus continues to spread across the globe with new cases every day, leaders are advising residents in more than 90...
San Jose approves new zoning rules for mobile homes to bolster protections
San Jose lawmakers on Tuesday unanimously approved creating a new land use designation for mobile home parks that would prevent hundreds of low-income residents from being forced to lose their homes as developers eye the land to build extravagant new homes. The stricter redevelopment protections will apply to all 58 mobile home parks in the...
San Jose is one step closer to having an iconic landmark
Imagine it in Silicon Valley. That’s Urban Confluence Silicon Valley’s message, as the nonprofit is on the mission to honor San Jose’s history and prestige in technology and innovation, by creating an iconic landmark in the nation’s tenth largest city. The group last summer launched an international design competition to solicit ideas from the community....
Former San Jose Mayor Susan Hammer dies at age 81
Susan Hammer, the trailblazing 62nd mayor of San Jose known for her infectious laugh and push for diversity and equity, died Saturday. She was 81. Hammer’s family made the announcement Sunday afternoon, citing health reasons. Hammer, who battled Alzheimer’s disease, was surrounded by family and friends. “We are heartbroken at Mom’s passing and feel so...
San Jose: Fear lingers three years after Trump’s Vietnamese deportation order
Achieving the American Dream is the goal for many: Get a stable job, have a house in a nice neighborhood, raise a family and hopefully, the cycle continues. Phước Thắng, a 40-year-old San Jose native, is on his way to the dream. He’s a cable wirer, a husband and father of two daughters, ages 5...
As coronavirus cases increase, San Jose mayor announces plan to protect renters
The number of coronavirus cases in California continues to rise, including in Santa Clara County, which has seen 10 new cases in just two days — bringing the total number to 32 confirmed cases by Saturday. The global pandemic is forcing more residents across the state to stay home and avoid public spaces, events and the workplace. But the stakes for...
San Jose leaders to craft a suicide prevention policy
Nearly three years after one lawmaker proposed the idea, the San Jose City Council on Tuesday unanimously approved adopting a citywide suicide prevention policy to raise awareness and shift resources toward a mental health epidemic that results in the death of dozens of residents each year. Councilmember Raul Peralez in 2017 pitched the plan, which calls for...
San Jose lawmakers set their top priorities for the new year
The San Jose City Council is grappling with scores of pressing issues, but with little time and limited resources, lawmakers each year must decide which priorities to push forward. Following hours of pitching policy proposals they consider the most imperative for the city’s progress, elected leaders on Tuesday voted to add seven new policies to...
From equity to blight and guns: San Jose lawmakers outline new priorities
With limited resources and time, the San Jose City Council each year must decide where its priorities fall. On Tuesday, the lawmakers will duel on which policy proposals they consider imperative for the city’s growth and progress. Since 2011, lawmakers have crafted a high-priority list of policy initiatives to steer the direction of the city’s...