San Jose Residents Push Back Against Homeless Housing At Empty Supermarket Lot

A homeless housing proposal isn't sitting well with some people who live and work near the corner of North 4th and East Younger Ave in San Jose. They fear it will increase crime, trash and drugs in the area. Maria Medina reports. (5-1-2019)

[alexsystems]

Classic case of ‘just not in my backyard’ hypocrites! Let’s vote in all of these bleeding hearts but get mad when it becomes a problem for them.

[katalackatt]

How are you going to stay sober when there's a bar right next to you?!! Not all homeless people are ALCOHOLICS and DRUGGIES!!

[joshn]

That vacant lot just needs to be rezoned from commercial to high density residential. The homeless need to simply be bused out to camps in the desert. Just build giant camps in the desert that house the homeless. Then simply criminalize homelessness. If you don't have a residence then you go to the camps. Able bodied people would be put in some sort of job finder program through the unemployment office. Anyone who is non-able bodied would go to the camps to simply live. Anyone caught doing drugs would be sent to mandatory drug treatment programs isolated from outside contact. You can't do drugs if you can't get drugs. Anyone caught smuggling drugs to these people would receive a mandatory sentence of life in prison without parole. Problem solved.


People just don't want to do this because they think it is inhumane but the real inhumane practice is to ignore the problem and let them die on the streets. This is what places like San Francisco do and they even have the nerve to say they're "champions of human rights". It is disgusting.

[visibletoauserz]

The neighborly thing to do is get to know the ppl who will live there engage with them build community and hold each dude accountable

[mikecziraky]

Hypocrites all of them. Open boarders but not around me

[erfr]

Some information regarding this specific supportive housing proposal from an April 30 meeting by PATH Ventures:

1. 4-5 stories (100-120 units) of supportive housing for individuals and couples (no families).

2. Chronically homeless and people with mental illness, but no sex offenders.

3. Tenants would not necessarily come from the neighborhood or even San Jose – PATH would source their tenants from County lists and the residents could be from any location in Santa Clara County.

4. Very little parking: two plans called for 6 parking spots, another for 32 spots. The Executive Director of PATH said that it is possible that tenants would want to keep their cars, because they are attached to them (as they might have been living in them), but they would have to park on the street or in the neighborhood.

5. PATH has housing rules, but they would not be responsible for individuals' behavior outside the building (which is standard rental practice). Poor behavior outside the facility would not necessarily be cause for eviction.

6. The building would be locked and tenants would be responsible for their guests, but there would not be on-site security.

7. There would be 1 social/case worker for every 20 units, so a total of 5-6 case workers monitoring the facility.

8. There would be an on-site manager.

9. Tenants would pay 30% of their income toward rent, the County of Santa Clara would subsidize the remaining 2/3 of the rent.

10. Tenants would not necessarily come from the neighborhood or even San Jose – PATH would source their tenants from County lists and the residents could be from any location in Santa Clara County.

11. The building would not be built with Union labor.

12. Units cost about $500-550K to build with a total building price tag of $50-60M.

13. PATH members said their contracts with counties are generally around 15 years for subsidies, but did not explain financial or program support after 15 years.

14. One plan called for 500 feet "commercial" space, possibly to be used as a grocery store. For comparison, 7-Eleven stores are on average 3, 000 square feet in size.

Other relevant information:

1. Located 1 block from a middle school.
2. Closest grocery store is over half a mile away.
3. Residential neighborhood on three sides of development.

[canvaisushi]

We have many empty lots near SAP center. May be build it there?

[soulreaverfan]

What would you do if you're homelessness you don't break into cars or business you have to live day by day and try to survive

[katalackatt]

So just because your homeless means your a criminal? Wow. I've been homeless several times in my life, and I didn't turn to crime, drinking and drugs.

[corytaylor]

the people of San Jose, Stanford area, Santa Clara county despise the Homeless period....
I moved their back 2003 and moved out in 2017..i had experienced some homelessness
during this time duration..The folks there cant stand the homeless in general..
that's what this is really about.. but will never be addressed..

[meyerkenny]

You can do what ever you want... Quit drinking and drugs

[denisemayosky]

The only reason I could see it not working is no resources nearby. But maybe building the housing units and getting resources in nearby would work. But if not here, where? We can't just sweep this under the carpet anymore! People are struggling to survive out there. And there will be more as housing prices and rents continue to skyrocket. I am not against those who have legitimate concerns, but this NIMBY attitude has got to go! Housing is ESSENTIAL for SURVIVAL! It's NOT just a privilege for the rich! And I hate people who have that attitude! It's a callous, inhuman attitude! We should be better than that, especially in the country's most expensive area! THESE ARE YOUR NEIGHBORS! They are NOT VERMIN! YOU could end up here, too! Don't think it can't happen to you, cuz it CAN! Open your eyes!

[lothean]

You dont need to build affordable housing. You need to investigate the price gauging of housing. That's where the problem is. You just dont get it. Then shout "not in my back yard" this state and it's people truly deserve what it gets. Have some compassion. It could be you one day.

[TheMadoneTruthSeeker]

To solve the problem of being Homeless, Housing them isn't the answer ? Oh no, no, it is, just not here !!

[CiscoZZZ-csep]

Is this really a housing problem or a drug problem?

[HOGSIDESJTVBOSSHOGRECORDS]

That's old school Dicks supermarket from the 80s.then became that other one.when I was a kid I use to get picked up by the school bus on that corner.

[ericanderson]

That has got to be the ugliest building up close. Just tear the whole thing down and build something awesome, like a car wash.

[thaproductk]

Nice to see the selflessness of that community😂, how dare you hurt their property values!! Jokes aside, as long as patrol is competent enough, it should be fine.

[airport]

There are about one million people in San Jose. I wouldn't mind paying a small tax per person for a couple of years to come up with a comprehensive permanent solution (housing+employment) for the 4, 000 people affected.

[michaelvo]

They can camp out at City hall or back yards of all Liberal open arm policy... They will or CAN NOT BE AROUND IN FRONT OF MY HOUSE OR BACK YARD.. I will have my Doors LOCKs and my Gun Loads.
Show them the way to Brown, Newsome, Pelosi, Waters, Schiff houses.. WE HAVING A BIG PARTY.