Housing Ready Communities
The Housing Ready Communities initiative builds support for the development of affordable housing, impactful policy reform and other proven solutions to prevent and end homelessness. We welcome individuals, community groups, nonprofits, housing developers, and members of government to join us in taking action when it counts. There is a role for everyone. Sign up and get involved today!
Activated
Neighbors
Housing Developments Supported
Approval
Rate
Housing Ends Homelessness
Roughly 10,000 of our neighbors are currently experiencing homelessness, and systemic factors continue to drive this crisis. The solution to homelessness is simple–a home–but our community has failed to produce enough and sometimes stands in the way of new opportunities. This is where Housing Ready Communities come in.
Together, we advocate for key policy changes, and new deeply affordable housing developments, including more extremely low income (ELI) and supportive housing. The most dramatic shortage of housing in our community is at the deepest affordability levels, and there is a clear link between this shortage and homelessness. Supportive housing (affordable housing incorporating on-site services) ends homelessness and is proven to successfully maintain housing stability for our most vulnerable neighbors, while building more ELI housing is key to preventing more at-risk residents from falling into homelessness.
To learn more about these proven solutions, visit our Understanding Homelessness section:
Mountain View
Mountain View
Cupertino
San Jose
San Jose
Gilroy
Gilroy
San Jose
Housing Ready Communities in Action
The Housing Ready Communities Action Network speaks up in support of policy reform and housing across Santa Clara County. We answer our neighbors’ questions, write to our elected representatives, and comment at public meetings to make sure new policies and housing are approved and funded.
There is no required level of experience or commitment, just a shared vision that we all have a role to play in advancing proven solutions to prevent and end homelessness.
Our Organizing Is Working
The Housing Ready Communities initiative has organized thousands of Santa Clara County neighbors, and a growing coalition of organizational partners regularly supports Action Network advocacy and learning opportunities.
Together we have:
Rallied to support 45 new supportive and extremely low income housing developments, resulting in a 98% approval rate. Villas on the Park and Renascent Place are two beautiful examples, now safely housing 250+ neighbors.
Advocated for the Measure E transfer tax, passed by San Jose voters in 2020. This new real estate transfer tax (only on property worth $2 million or more) is bringing more than $50 million every year to fund new housing and programs proven to end and prevent homelessness.
Educated our community on causes and solutions to homelessness. Housing Ready Communities workshop participants demonstrate a 44% increase in understanding of homelessness and supportive housing, and a 7% increase in support for new supportive housing in the participant’s neighborhood.
See the Progress
Since 2015, our supportive housing system has made significant progress developing new affordable housing throughout Santa Clara County, catalyzed by the passing of the Measure A affordable housing bond in 2016. This critical financing was targeted to create 4,800 new units, with roughly 4,363 new affordable housing units funded, under construction, or completed as of November 2022.
This interactive map shows progress made to date, including housing funded by Measure A and all homes with supportive services throughout our community.
Take the Next Step
HRC Action Alerts
Action Alert: Critical Funds For Affordable Housing at Risk in San Jose
San Jose City Council is considering a new Measure E transfer tax spending plan that drastically shifts funding away from new affordable…
Action Alert: Urge Your State Senator to Vote YES on the Affordable Housing & High Road Jobs Act
WHAT This week, the California State Senate is expected to vote on AB 2011 (Wicks): the Affordable Housing and High Road…
Commercial Linkage Fee: Sustainable funding for affordable housing in San Jose
Interested in having long-term impact on affordable housing solutions in San Jose? Supporting a new Commercial Linkage Fee is an…
County Board of Supervisors to vote on 687 new homes to end homelessness
The County of Santa Clara Board of Supervisors will meet this coming Tuesday, December 18 at 9:30am to vote on…
Introducing the Housing Ready Community’s Toolkit
Destination: Home is excited to announce the launch of the Housing Ready Community’s Toolkit, a new resource for those working…
