Dwellings City of San José Housing Department

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.