Spring Break
Plan aims to end homelessness in S.J.
Nick Veronin
Issue date: 4/9/07 Section: News
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The San Jose City Council made public the San Jose Department of Housing's draft of the Annual Action Plan 2007-2008 Tuesday, according to Melissa Whatley, policy and planning manager for the housing department in San Jose.
The council was prepared to accept comments and concerns from the San Jose community on the plan, but no members of the public came forward to speak, Whatley said.
Goals of the plan include eliminating homelessness and creating more homeowners as well as more self-sustaining renters citywide.
The report proposes to achieve these goals by increasing the number of affordable units for rent and ownership throughout the city and by implementing more assistance programs to help low-income individuals and families stay off the street.
Ashley Martin, a freshman majoring in elementary education, lives on campus but said she thought affordable housing was a great idea since local housing rates are especially high.
"I know I lived in the Bay Area for a while and I ended up moving to Modesto just because housing out there was cheaper," Martin said.
Hilton McCloud, a freshman graphic design major, seconded Martin's sentiments about affordable housing.
"I mean, that's the number-one reason people leave the Bay Area," McCloud said. "Because of the expense of housing."
The draft now enters a 30 day public comment period, Whatley said, which gives members of the San Jose community a chance to review the draft and submit their comments in writing or over the phone to the San Jose Department of Housing.
She said the public may also submit comments in person at the next Housing and Community Development Advisory Commission meeting April 12 or at the city council meeting on May 8, when the council will consider public comments and vote on the plan.
Copies of the draft are available through the San Jose Department of Housing office, Whatley said. The draft is also available online at www.sjhousing.org or people can call the department of housing at (408)-535-3860 to request a complimentary copy of the document via mail.
The council was prepared to accept comments and concerns from the San Jose community on the plan, but no members of the public came forward to speak, Whatley said.
Goals of the plan include eliminating homelessness and creating more homeowners as well as more self-sustaining renters citywide.
The report proposes to achieve these goals by increasing the number of affordable units for rent and ownership throughout the city and by implementing more assistance programs to help low-income individuals and families stay off the street.
Ashley Martin, a freshman majoring in elementary education, lives on campus but said she thought affordable housing was a great idea since local housing rates are especially high.
"I know I lived in the Bay Area for a while and I ended up moving to Modesto just because housing out there was cheaper," Martin said.
Hilton McCloud, a freshman graphic design major, seconded Martin's sentiments about affordable housing.
"I mean, that's the number-one reason people leave the Bay Area," McCloud said. "Because of the expense of housing."
The draft now enters a 30 day public comment period, Whatley said, which gives members of the San Jose community a chance to review the draft and submit their comments in writing or over the phone to the San Jose Department of Housing.
She said the public may also submit comments in person at the next Housing and Community Development Advisory Commission meeting April 12 or at the city council meeting on May 8, when the council will consider public comments and vote on the plan.
Copies of the draft are available through the San Jose Department of Housing office, Whatley said. The draft is also available online at www.sjhousing.org or people can call the department of housing at (408)-535-3860 to request a complimentary copy of the document via mail.
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