A $450 million bond referendum will come before San Jose voters this November. Mayor Sam Liccardo promises it is "a necessary but not sufficient tool" to provide stable housing at an epicenter of the housing crisis.
Following the 2016 approval of a $950 million bond to address the housing crisis in Santa Clara County, the voters of San Jose will be asked to approve another $450 million this year. The bond will direct money "to affordable housing production and preservation at three different income levels, promising to create up to 3,550 units of new affordable housing in the city," Jared Brey writes.
San Jose's mayor Sam Liccardo characterizes the bond as "a necessary but not sufficient tool" to deal with the city's severe lack of affordable housing options. "Last October, Liccardo released a 15-point housing plan with the goal of creating 25,000 new homes in San Jose over the next five years, of which 10,000 would be affordable units." The bond is estimated to cost San Jose property owners 8 cents per $1,000 of assessed value, and will require approval by two thirds of voters.
The city is also working to create a separate fund to attract low-return, safe investments in housing for the middle class, a so-called "missing middle" fund. Such an instrument would pair private and philanthropic investment with a small subsidy from the city, but so far no outside money has been committed.
FULL STORY: The ‘Capital of Silicon Valley’ Wants to Borrow $450 Million for Housing
California's Housing Crisis—No End in Sight
This past year looked promising in terms of opportunities to tackle the state’s housing woes. But most measures failed and the problem is just growing.
California Getting Way More New Jobs Than New Housing
Even with tons of building permits already issued this year, the outlook for the state’s affordability crisis is pretty grim.
A Proposal to Plan Regionally in the Silicon Valley
Could development fights in the home of the biggest tech companies be avoided if cities just talked to each other?
Florida Considers Legalizing ADUs
Current state law allows — but doesn’t require — cities to permit accessory dwelling units in single-family residential neighborhoods.
HUD Announces Plan to Build Housing on Public Lands
The agency will identify federally owned parcels appropriate for housing development and streamline the regulatory process to lease or transfer land to housing authorities and nonprofit developers.
Conservatives’ Decongestion Pricing Flip-Flop
When it comes to solving traffic problems, the current federal administration is on track for failure, waste, and hypocrisy.
San Francisco Turns On California’s First Speed Cameras
The city is the first in the state to use automated traffic enforcement to reduce speeding and traffic deaths.
Shaping LA’s Future: Public Voting Opens for LA2050 Grants
The LA2050 Grants Challenge invites Angelenos to vote on the top issues facing Los Angeles, helping direct $3 million in funding to organizations working to build a more connected and resilient region.
Chicago Transit Agencies on Brink of Major Crisis
Without additional funding, regional transit agencies will be forced to cut services by 40 percent.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Florida Atlantic University
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
City of Piedmont, CA
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service
City of Cambridge, Maryland