In the past few weeks, the efforts of our Housing Ready Communities Action Network have helped to move forward our collective work to end and prevent homelessness in Santa Clara County. In this blog post, we will share three important successes.
To our Action Network participants, thank you for showing up and speaking up! YOU make a difference, and YOUR VOICE matters.
Progress Update
1. New Neighbors
Two beautiful new supportive housing apartment buildings welcomed 250+ new neighbors in recent months. Villas on the Park and Renascent Place are amazing examples of what our community can accomplish when we work together! Did you know that our community has ended homelessness for 14,000+ people since 2015?!
Now that’s progress!
- https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/homeless-mans-new-friend-helps-him-find-home-in-the-south-bay/2247023/
- https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/making-it-in-the-bay/new-supportive-housing-complex-opens-in-san-jose/2249450/
- https://www.mercurynews.com/2020/03/04/opinion-a-symbol-of-success-in-san-jose-from-streets-to-home/
2. New Sustainable Funding
Thanks to our community working together, San Jose voters passed Measure E on Election Day. This new real estate transfer tax (only on property worth $2 million or more) will bring an additional ~$50 million every year to fund new housing and programs proven to end and prevent homelessness.
Now that’s progress!
- https://sanjosespotlight.com/loving-measure-e-will-help-reduce-and-prevent-homelessness-in-san-jose/
- https://www.affordablesj.com/about/
3. New Homes
Thanks to Santa Clara County voters and the Board of Supervisors, 2016 Measure A Affordable Housing Bond financing for 865 more new homes was approved this week. This brings our new (since 2015) supportive housing total to 3,600+ in 10 cities throughout the county.
Now that’s progress!
- https://www.sccgov.org/sites/opa/newsroom/Pages/more-affordable-housing.aspx
- https://sanjosespotlight.com/santa-clara-county-lawmakers-to-approve-137-4m-for-affordable-housing/
Online Workshops Coming Soon
While we all scale back large public gatherings, Destination: Home is working up a plan to host several online Housing Ready Communities workshops. Stay tuned for information on those opportunities coming soon!
Questions and Suggestions?
We are here to be a resource for you. If you ever have questions or suggestions about homelessness, housing, or growing our Housing Ready Communities network, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Have an idea of a community group that would like to learn more and get involved? Please let us know!
Many thanks to all our Housing Ready Communities Action Network participants for their hard work!