Palo Alto profiting from unauthorized short-term rentals
PALO ALTO — Palo Alto is collecting taxes on Airbnb rentals in the city even as a zoning ordinance technically prohibits their operation in single-family residential districts.
Read MoreHousing + Development
Mountain View residents push back against proposed housing developments on Rock Street
Residents of two Mountain View apartment complexes that developers are looking to replace with luxury housing say they won’t be able to stay in the city if they’re forced out of their homes. Tenants of 2005 and 2310 Rock St. say the relocation assistance that the developer offered them — an equivalent of three months rent, according to a city official — won’t be enough to cover what residents expect could be at least a $1,000 per month increase in rent long-term. The city’s rent levels have risen significantly in recent years. In 2017, the average rent for a one-bedroom apartment was $3,110, the San Mercury News reported, up from…
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Cupertino residents divided over shopping mall redevelopment
CUPERTINO — A Bay Area property company has begun demolishing a parking structure at the Vallco shopping mall, the first step towards construction of a new 58-acre mixed-use development that has divided the community.
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Despite efforts, challenges still remain for those wanting ADUs
Legislation passed by San Jose and the state of California has made it easier for people to construct accessory-dwelling units, but an analysis shows more can be done.
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No end in sight to Bay Area housing woes
SAN FRANCISCO — In the San Francisco Bay Area, home of Silicon Valley, the lack of affordable housing remains a consistent problem for local communities.
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Downtown Streets Team introduces new initiative to end homelessness
PALO ALTO — An organization helping homeless people in the Bay Area find jobs will expand its reach in Palo Alto.
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The Castilleja School plans to submit updated expansion plans
PALO ALTO — Contrary to neighbors’ wishes, the Castilleja School plans on submitting revised expansion plans to the City of Palo Alto this upcoming February.
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Santa Clara County’s growing number of homeless youth struggle to access assistance
Jaritza Hernandez became homeless at 18, when her husband lost his job and the rent for their apartment rose. They couldn’t keep up with the bills, especially when they needed to pay for all the costs associated with their new baby, Alexa, who has epilepsy. With no support from their families, the family of three ended up living in the back of their car for six months before they could find stable housing. Hernandez wasn’t prepared to become homeless. “I’m only 20 years old. I wasn’t trained for this. I wasn’t prepared for this life. No one told me that you could be homeless. No one told me how hard…
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As housing crisis grows, Palo Alto turns to below-market-rate program
PALO ALTO — The Hernandez family used to share a single bedroom in a cramped two-bedroom apartment. Because of affordable housing programs, not anymore.
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Housing Crises Affects Emergency Response Plan
SILICON VALLEY — Silicon Valley municipalities have a unique problem to account for when planning for emergencies like earthquakes—the area is too affluent.
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Palo Alto evaluating regulations to improve safety of seismically vulnerable buildings
PALO ALTO — Palo Alto City Council voted Nov. 13 for city staff to begin drafting new regulations for certain buildings at risk of earthquake damage, the latest step in a multiyear effort to understand and improve the seismic safety of the city’s older buildings.
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Palo Alto city council votes against studying new rent stabilization measures
PALO ALTO – In Palo Alto, where rent prices have forced out essential workers like teachers, first responders and trade professionals, the city council remains divided on how to address the issue.
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