San Jose has the fourth highest number of homeless people per capita in the U.S. based on a recent survey, and advocates blame it on multiple problems. An Insider Monkey report shows that for every 100,000 people per capita, San Jose has 363 residents that are homeless. New York City ranks third, Los Angeles ranks...
Op-ed: San Jose stands together for fair construction practices
A thriving economy relies upon the rule of law, the assurance that fairness, equity and justice will prevail. It drives investment decisions around the globe and here at home. And for the tens of thousands of victims of wage theft who are still waiting to be paid, it is well past time for San Jose...
Willow Glen residents oppose homeless safe sleeping site
Willow Glen residents are protesting a proposal to turn a vacant lot in their neighborhood into a city-sanctioned homeless encampment, or safe sleeping site. About 50 people rallied Saturday at the intersection of Willow and Lelong streets against the idea, citing neighborhood issues they believe stem from nearby homeless residents. City officials have revisited the...
San Jose residents want city to revisit community center spending
While San Jose works to divvy up a hefty donation from Google, residents want to make sure that money goes back to supporting their communities. Part of Google’s $200 million donation to San Jose was $1 million to support the Gardner Community Center, with the goal of reopening the center with more programs for residents....
San Jose District 2 candidate bridges labor-business divide
San Jose’s long-standing divide between business and labor interests might come down to the District 2 race and could bring more collaboration to the City Council. District 2 candidate Pamela Campos announced a slate of endorsements on Friday from both sides of the council’s business and labor divide. She is running against retired sheriff officer...
San Jose neighborhood fights to preserve its identity
After decades of residents requesting historic status, San Jose is starting the process to create a new city landmark district — the first since 2007. The San Jose City Council earlier this month voted unanimously to nominate Alameda Park/Schiele Avenue as a historic district, with Councilmember Omar Torres absent. The designation would protect homes in...
What the demise of contentious housing law means for San Jose
A brewing battle in the California courts may lift San Jose from the mandates of a controversial law that ended exclusionary single-family zoning statewide. The prospect has local experts shrugging and questioning what effect, if any, Senate Bill 9 has had on San Jose’s housing stock. The law has underperformed in new home approvals since...
San Jose bathrooms may soon have sex trafficking signs
A local official wants to put an end to sex trafficking in San Jose. San Jose Councilmember Bien Doan wants to create a sex trafficking awareness campaign in public restrooms throughout the city. Notices would be posted by bathroom mirrors and in stalls with phone numbers for victims to call or people to report incidents....
San Jose leaders want budget to focus on housing, homelessness
San Jose officials have a daunting task of balancing the budget as they attempt to preserve city services with a $52.1 million shortfall. The San Jose City Council unanimously approved Mayor Matt Mahan’s March budget message on Tuesday, but not before numerous councilmembers added their own amendments around housing, homelessness and other city services. Over the next few months, councilmembers,...
San Jose fast-food workers grill city leaders for better rights
Dozens of fast-food workers flooded the San Jose City Council chambers on Tuesday, demanding their representatives pass a policy to expand workers rights. Workers asked councilmembers to include a rule that enables fast-food workers in the city to accrue paid time off and get a paid day for an annual training that educates workers on...