We review the City's response to the atmospheric river events in January 2023, which posed a significant threat to unhoused residents at risk of flooding. Ragan and Bea take listeners back to December 2022 – January 2023. With creek levels rising and the danger of mudslides growing, the city prioritized the safety of those experiencing homelessness along waterways. The discussion covers the decision to open evacuation centers, sending emergency workers to notify people living in tents of imminent danger, and the extensive collaboration with partners like the American Red Cross and HomeFirst to manage the logistics of feeding and caring for people. The discussion also includes the innovative thinking that turned a potential tragedy into a unique opportunity to help many unhoused residents find housing after the storms passed.

Terms and topics discussed:

• To learn more about the HomeFirst, please visit https://www.homefirstscc.org/.

• To learn more about the American Red Cross, please visit - https://www.redcross.org/

•  To learn more about the Office of Emergency Management, please visit - https://www.sanjoseca.gov/your-government/departments-offices/office-of-the-city-manager/emergency-management

• Beautify SJ

• The Bill Wilson Center

Transcript: Episode 19: The January 2023 Storm Event and Homeless Rehousing

Tune in to find out how ministerial approval could reshape the housing  landscape in San José. We talk with Ruth to learn what ministerial approval entails and how it is helping affordable housing get built faster. The discussion dives into the background and rationale for ministerial approval and how this State-mandated process is helping the City cut red tape and address its housing shortage. Listeners will gain a deeper understanding of how the process works and how it differs from the typical planning and permitting process.

Terms and topics discussed:

• To learn more about Planning Building and Code Enforcement, please visit the City’s  Planning Building and Code Enforcement home page
  
  
•  CEQA Review
  
  
• SJpermits.org
  
  
• Learn more about the San José General Plan
  
  
• AB-2162 - require local entities to streamline the approval of housing projects containing a minimum amount of Supportive Housing by providing a ministerial approval process, removing the requirement for CEQA analysis and removing the requirement for Conditional Use Authorization or other similar discretionary entitlements granted by the Planning Commission.
  
  
• SB 35 - allows qualified multifamily infill projects to go through a simplified and expedited housing approval process in jurisdictions that are not on track to meet their housing production goals.

Transcript: Episode 20: Ministerial Approvals

We explore the dynamics of Bay Area housing policies through the lens of the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG). We dive into the role of ABAG's Housing Methodology Committee and the creativity required in the planning process for residential development. This includes understanding how the Housing Element and Regional Housing Needs Allocation help municipalities meet their requirements for market-rate and affordable housing. Gain deeper insights into the future of our housing inventory in San José and how ABAG is helping shape a resilient and vibrant future for the Bay Area.

Terms and topics discussed:

• Builders Remedy - The builder's remedy is a mechanism in the Housing Accountability Act that prohibits any city that has not adopted a compliant housing element by the required deadline from applying its general plan and zoning standards to reject certain housing development projects.
• Housing Accountability Act - empowers the State of California to limit local government's ability to restrict the development of new housing.
• Housing Methodology Committee
• Regional Early Action Planning (REAP) Grant
• Learn more about the RHNA
• Learn more about the Housing Element

 Transcript: Episode 21: Association of Bay Area Governments

When an emergency strikes, the San José Office of Emergency Management (OEM) provides leadership and coordinates the City’s response. But what about your response? How can you prepare for an emergency like an earthquake or fire? OEM provides materials and training to help residents like you prepare for the next emergency. Today, we learn about those resources and the steps you can take right now to protect your family and your property from the unexpected. 

• Please visit The Office of Emergency Management website to learn more.
• Sign up for AlertSCC
• For guides, alerts and more information visit CalOES.ca.gov
• Tips on how to prepare Ready.gov
• Be Prepared
• Be Informed
• Be Trained
• Request an Inspection
• Emergency Operations Center(EOC) - the City, the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) is a location from which centralized emergency management can be performed during a major emergency or disaster. This facilitates a coordinated response by the Director of Emergency Services, Emergency Management Staff, and representatives from organizations that are assigned emergency management responsibilities.

Transcript: Episode 23: Preparing Your Home for an Emergency

Today we look at a community-wide campaign headed by the Santa Clara County Office of Supportive Housing with the goal of ending Family Homelessness by 2025. Heading Home is based on four key strategies that help families stabilize their lives and avoid or exit homelessness. We learn the meaning of “functional zero” and how this campaign moves our community toward that elusive goal. It's no small feat, but with help from partners like Destination: Home, the City of San José, and many non-profit organizations, families won't have to face the daunting risk of homelessness alone.

Terms and topics discussed:

• Visit the Heading Home website to learn more.
• Continuum of Care (COC)
• Santa Clara County Rapid Rehousing
• Bill Wilson Center – Here4You – Hotline (408)385-2400
• Emergency Housing Voucher(EHV)
• Casitas de Esperanza
• Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program
• Family Supportive Housing prioritizes shelter services for families facing urgent need - Call (408)926-8885
• Functional Zero - the number of housing placements for families is greater than the number of families entering homelessness.

Transcript: Episode 24:  Heading Home Program – Ending Family Homelessness

The Housing Department’s Rent Stabilization Program oversees the City's rental housing ordinances as well as numerous eviction prevention programs. These programs help tenants and landlords involved in potential eviction cases navigate the process and connect them with resources that may help the parties avoid evictions. Nobody wins when tenants are unable to remain housed. Tune in to find out what the City is doing to reduce the number of evictions and increase housing stability for the betterment of our entire community.

Terms Discussed:

• Visit our page to learn more about the Rent Stabilization Program
• Received a Notice to Vacate? Understand what they mean on our Understand Eviction Procedures
• Eviction Help Center

• Sacred Heart Community Service – Rental Assistance
• Unlawful Detainer -  If the tenant does not voluntarily move out after the landlord has properly given the required notice to the tenant, the landlord can begin the court eviction process. In order to evict the tenant, the landlord must file an unlawful detainer lawsuit in Superior Court in the county where the rental unit is located and then properly serve you with a summons and a copy of the unlawful detainer complaint.

Transcript: Episode 25: Eviction Prevention Programs in San José