For Immediate Release                                 
September 21, 2001

Mayor Ron Gonzales Names
San Jose Rental Housing Task Force
Goal:  Safe, Livable, and Affordable Homes for San Jose Residents

San Jose, CA ----  Mayor Ron Gonzales named members of the Mayor’s San Jose Rental Housing Task Force who will develop specific recommendations for San José’s rental housing community to ensure safe, livable housing for residents [see list at bottom of news release].

"Although San Jose has led the region in the creation of housing that is so critically needed in Silicon Valley, we must do more," said Mayor Gonzales.  “I have asked the Rental Housing Task Force to come back with fresh and practical recommendations for strategic solutions that will enhance the quality of life for San José families who live in rental housing.”

The task force includes community leaders, housing developers, property managers, and housing advocates. Their goal will be to develop recommendations to address rental housing issues to bring back to the mayor in six months.

“The task force will look at ways to increase the stability of families and neighborhoods that are affected by evictions, conflicts between landlords and tenants, and the high cost of housing in San José,” said Mayor Gonzales.

The high cost of rental housing in San Jose and Silicon Valley has put increasing pressure on many families, often forcing difficult choices such as moving to areas where housing is less expensive. The task force will consider how the community and the City can assist tenants and landlords to prevent and resolve disputes, improve compliance with building, health and safety codes, achieve safer rental properties, and other rental issues.

"I am hoping to see proposals that can increase the quality, safety and livability of our rental housing in San Jose," said Gonzales. "We must look at the full spectrum of possibilities that could help meet the housing needs of families who rent their homes in our city.”

The mayor also has directed the task force to seek suggestions and advice from all parts of the community in order to tap the broad expertise, experience, and advice of many people who could contribute to creative alternatives for the rental housing industry.

"Finally, I want them to make specific recommendations that could include changes to our rent control policies, new ways to prevent unsafe living conditions, or creative programs to increase tenant and landlord awareness of current programs, assistance, and regulations,” he said.

The City of San Jose has made major commitments to create housing for families at all income levels. Approximately 4000 new homes are built each year in San Jose, and the City has changed its General Plan this year that increased the potential for 8000 more homes. In the current General Plan, San Jose has the capacity in existing developed areas for the development of more than 40,000 more homes.

The City is also on track with its five-year plan to create 6000 affordable homes by 2004 using approximately $300 million from redevelopment resources, and it has committed nearly $30 million this year to develop more affordable homes for families with the lowest incomes.

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San Jose City Hall      801 N. First St., San Jose,  CA 95110      tel (408) 277-5131  fax ( 408) 277-3131     www.ci.san-jose.ca.us