Karen Tanveer is a recent high school graduate, except unlike some of her peers, she has dealt with homelessness her whole life. But a new county guaranteed income program will give local students like her financial relief. Santa Clara County is set to give 50 homeless high school students $1,200 for three months, as well as peer...
Affordable housing to be built by San Jose transit center
VTA is beginning work on a new housing development to boost the Santa Clara County transit agency’s revenue. This time it will be 100% affordable housing. The agency will use an empty lot next to the Berryessa Transit Center in San Jose to build 195 affordable apartments after signing a contract with Affirmed Housing Group last...
Shadow poll tests new sales tax in Santa Clara County
Santa Clara County voters might find a new sales tax measure on the 2024 ballot—and there’s an opinion poll swirling through the community to gauge the climate. Texts and emails went out last week asking residents whether they would vote for a half-cent sales tax increase on the next ballot. The poll was sent by text through Opinion Research U.S....
PolitiBeat: San José Spotlight’s inaugural political festival
San José Spotlight’s inaugural all-day political festival PolitiBeat, a first for the region, brought together dozens of leaders in government, education, media and sports to discuss the successes and challenges facing San Jose and Silicon Valley. Held last Saturday at the iconic Hammer Theatre in downtown San Jose, PolitiBeat offered more than 150 attendees the...
San Jose’s housing plan projected to be more costly
Quick-build temporary shelters are faster and cheaper for San Jose than investing in permanent affordable housing—that’s been Mayor Matt Mahan’s pitch during his first six months in office. But as officials prepare to approve this year’s $5.2 billion budget, the long–term costs for short–term housing don’t exactly support Mahan’s sweeping claims. It’s something he touted...
Bramson: You can’t make a budget in San Jose without breaking a few eggs
E pluribus unum. Out of many, one. Though most widely recognized from our currency and as the motto of the United States, this Latin expression has its roots in the writings of Virgil, a Roman poet best known for classics such as the Aeneid. This particular phrase, however, carries no such epic ties. It was...
UPDATE: San Jose sees small drop in homelessness
Santa Clara County’s homeless population is slightly lower than last year, with the biggest drop happening in San Jose. Preliminary data from the county’s point in time count found that homelessness has decreased by 4.7% over the last year in San Jose, bringing the number to approximately 6,340 homeless residents, down by about 300 people. City...
Who loses in San Jose mayor’s housing plan?
An already contentious debate on where to allocate funds for housing is growing more divisive, as San Jose leaders weigh diverting funding for hundreds of affordable homes. The San Jose City Council is considering cutting Measure E spending on affordable housing by half and reallocating those dollars to homelessness services and temporary shelters. Housing advocates said...
Silicon Valley water district sponsors state bill to help house homeless people
A new state bill would give the Santa Clara Valley Water District expanded authority to help thousands of homeless people living along creeks, streams and other district lands find housing and services. District officials say Assembly Bill 1469 would add language to the district’s governing act specifying it can assist unsheltered people, allowing it to play a...
Santa Clara County could guarantee income for formerly incarcerated people
Individuals coming out of jail have few resources to help them integrate back into society. Santa Clara County officials want to help change that. The Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors recently approved a potential guaranteed basic income program for former inmates. The program’s financial feasibility will be discussed at the county’s budget meeting in...