The Housing Debate Has Taken a Strange Turn:
Now We’re Afraid of Maps California’s housing crisis has produced some strange policy debates over the years. We’ve argued about CEQA, parking requirements, density bonuses, impact fees, design review, and almost every other obstacle to building homes. Now, we’ve apparently reached a new low. Some of the state’s most powerful housing industry groups are arguing […]
Downtown San José Can’t Afford to Tolerate Blight
The Big Picture A vacant lot at 605 S. Second Street in San José’s SoFA District has become the latest example of a growing problem facing downtown: blight. The site was once approved for a 29-story affordable housing tower, but today it sits overgrown with weeds, surrounded by a damaged fence, and subject to city […]
San José’s Affordable Housing Audit Reveals the Real Test for GovAI
How Artificial Intelligence Could Strengthen Affordable Housing Oversight and Protect Taxpayer Investments San José has spent years positioning itself as one of the nation’s leaders in government artificial intelligence. City leaders have promoted GovAI as a tool that can modernize government, improve public services, and help employees work more efficiently. The initiative has generated national […]
State Housing Law Could Transform Campbell Overnight
State housing law could reshape Campbell’s small city vibe with up to 40,000 new homes – Local News Matters The Big Picture A sweeping state law, Senate Bill 79, could dramatically reshape Campbell by allowing dense housing near transit without local zoning limits. With three VTA light rail stations in a city of just 6.5 […]
San Jose’s Last Railroad Trestle Sparks Preservation Fight Amid Trail Expansion Plans
San Jose residents rally to save railroad trestle – San José Spotlight The Big Picture A growing coalition in San Jose is pushing to preserve the century-old Coyote Creek Trestle, a 1922 railroad bridge now caught in the middle of a planned trail expansion. City officials had leaned toward demolishing the structure to make way […]
San Jose could add financial perks to help speed up housing development
San Jose could add financial perks to help speed up housing development Big Picture San Jose is weighing a significant expansion of its housing incentive programs in response to stalled construction and rising development costs. City leaders are proposing deeper tax and fee reductions for multifamily projects, extending caps on existing incentive programs, and introducing […]
S.F. supervisor says mayor’s housing office ‘lost’ $5M for affordable housing
S.F. supe: Mayor’s housing office ‘lost’ $5M for affordable housing Big Picture San Francisco District 5 Supervisor Bilal Mahmood revealed that roughly $5 million in funding earmarked for a long-planned affordable housing project in the Tenderloin was never spent and had been sitting unused in an account for years. The money originated from a 2015 […]
San Jose looks to sweeten the deal to jump-start stalled housing
San Jose could add financial perks to help speed up housing development Big Picture San Jose is considering expanding and extending its existing financial incentive program for housing developers as a way to move approved projects into construction. The proposal would offer deeper and longer-lasting breaks on construction taxes and certain fees for residential projects […]
Silicon Valley mayors reveal how their cities are positioning for growth in 2026
Silicon Valley mayors outline growth plans for 2026 – Silicon Valley Business Journal Big PictureAt the Silicon Valley Business Journal’s 2026 Economic and Mayors’ Forecast, leaders from San Jose, Santa Clara, Fremont, and Sunnyvale outlined how their cities are positioning for the next phase of regional growth. Each city is leaning into a distinct role: […]
VTA Opens New Transit-Oriented Housing Near Tamien Station
VTA to bring thousands of homes online – San José Spotlight Big PictureThe Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority is moving forward with a long-dormant transit-oriented housing effort by opening its first new apartment complex in more than 20 years near the Tamien light rail and Caltrain station in San Jose. The development includes 135 affordable […]