The Housing Department’s Rent Stabilization Program oversees the City's rental housing ordinances as well as numerous eviction prevention programs. These programs help tenants and landlords involved in potential eviction cases navigate the process and connect them with resources that may help the parties avoid evictions. Nobody wins when tenants are unable to remain housed. Tune in to find out what the City is doing to reduce the number of evictions and increase housing stability for the betterment of our entire community.

Today we look at a community-wide campaign headed by the Santa Clara County Office of Supportive Housing with the goal of ending Family Homelessness by 2025. Heading Home is based on four key strategies that help families stabilize their lives and avoid or exit homelessness. We learn the meaning of “functional zero” and how this campaign moves our community toward that elusive goal. It's no small feat, but with help from partners like Destination: Home, the City of San José, and many non-profit organizations, families won't have to face the daunting risk of homelessness alone.

When an emergency strikes, the San José Office of Emergency Management (OEM) provides leadership and coordinates the City’s response. But what about your response? How can you prepare for an emergency like an earthquake or fire? OEM provides materials and training to help residents like you prepare for the next emergency. Today, we learn about those resources and the steps you can take right now to protect your family and your property from the unexpected.

In this episode, we take a look at the Bay Area Housing Finance Authority (BAHFA), a pioneering regional authority addressing the persistent housing challenges in the Bay Area. Kate and Daniel elaborate on BAHFA's origin, its role in the CASA Compact, the three P’s, and its unique status as a regional finance agency created by state legislation in 2019. They highlight BAHFA's capacity to raise revenue for affordable housing throughout the Bay Area, emphasizing collaboration with local jurisdictions. The discussion delves into the intricate relationship between BAHFA, MTC, and ABAG, showcasing their united effort to address the housing crisis and create meaningful solutions, including here, in San José.

We explore the dynamics of Bay Area housing policies through the lens of the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG). We dive into the role of ABAG's Housing Methodology Committee and the creativity required in the planning process for residential development. This includes understanding how the Housing Element and Regional Housing Needs Allocation help municipalities meet their requirements for market-rate and affordable housing. Gain deeper insights into the future of our housing inventory in San José and how ABAG is helping shape a resilient and vibrant future for the Bay Area.

Tune in to find out how ministerial approval could reshape the housing landscape in San José. We talk with Ruth to learn what ministerial approval entails and how it is helping affordable housing get built faster. The discussion dives into the background and rationale for ministerial approval and how this State-mandated process is helping the City cut red tape and address its housing shortage. Listeners will gain a deeper understanding of how the process works and how it differs from the typical planning and permitting process.

We review the City's response to the atmospheric river events in January 2023, which posed a significant threat to unhoused residents at risk of flooding. Ragan and Bea take listeners back to December 2022 – January 2023. With creek levels rising and the danger of mudslides growing, the city prioritized the safety of those experiencing homelessness along waterways. The discussion covers the decision to open evacuation centers, sending emergency workers to notify people living in tents of imminent danger, and the extensive collaboration with partners like the American Red Cross and HomeFirst to manage the logistics of feeding and caring for people. The discussion also includes the innovative thinking that turned a potential tragedy into a unique opportunity to help many unhoused residents find housing after the storms passed.

The City is working to create a feedback loop for homelessness solutions that will improve resource utilization and make solutions more accessible to those in need. A key part of this process is listening to people with lived experience with homelessness to understand how we can make it easier to navigate the complex system for obtaining and using homelessness solutions. On today’s episode, I’m joined by Chad Bojorquez, chief program officer at Destination: Home, and Greg Pensinger, homelessness response manager in the City of San José Housing Department. We talk about the Live Experience Advisory Board and how homelessness solutions are evolving to better meet the needs of homeless residents.

There's a constant need for affordable housing in Silicon Valley, and there are a variety of tools the City and other entities can use to finance the construction and operation of that housing. There are also myriad requirements that must be satisfied, so investors must take numerous steps to bring affordable to fruition. On today's episode, I'm joined by Rachel VanderVeen, deputy director of the City of José Housing Department. We talk about how financing affordable housing in San José actually works.

Project Homekey has helped fast-track solutions for persons experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness. It does this by allowing public entities to develop a variety of housing types and convert existing buildings into permanent or interim housing. We'll dive into the details of this initiative and explore its potential impact on communities across the region. On today’s episode, I’m joined by Consuelo Hernandez, Director of the Santa Clara County Office of Supportive Housing. We are going to talk about Project Homekey, a statewide effort to rapidly expand housing opportunities for persons experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness.