Annalise Freimarck

5 days ago | sanjosespotlight.com | Annalise Freimarck

The West Valley has scarce resources for the hundreds of homeless residents living on its streets. That may change as elected leaders consider adding its first shelter. All five West Valley municipalities — Cupertino, Saratoga, Monte Sereno, Campbell and Los Gatos —  recently approved a homeless shelter feasibility study conducted by Good City Company. The Cupertino City Council was the last to commit in a 4-1 vote April 2, with Councilmember R “Ray” Wang voting no.

6 days ago | sanjosespotlight.com | Annalise Freimarck

Leilany Huerta-Hernandez remembers her throbbing headaches in the late afternoons because she couldn’t afford to purchase food as a West Valley College student. Her hunger was ever-present, but she felt ashamed to ask for help. Students like Huerta-Hernandez will soon be able to cross this one worry off their list. West Valley-Mission Community College District is rolling out a free universal meal program slated to start in the fall. The program will serve in-person students one meal per school day.

1 week ago | sanjosespotlight.com | Annalise Freimarck

Campbell homeowners applying for a tiny home could get city approval in days. Campbell launched an express backyard home permit process this month that shortens approval time to a week or less — the fastest in Santa Clara County where approvals can average between two to three months. The city is accepting two qualifying applications a week for backyard homes, known as accessory dwelling units (ADUs).

1 week ago | sanjosespotlight.com | Annalise Freimarck

Housing advocates are suing Cupertino over two controversial development proposals the city claims can’t be built. Housing groups Yes in My Backyard (YIMBY) Law and California Housing Defense Fund filed two lawsuits against Cupertino April 8, claiming the city shouldn’t have deemed two housing project proposals expired. Developers filed the projects — 20 condos and 33 homes at 20739 Scofield Drive and near Linda Vista Park respectively — using builder’s remedy.

2 weeks ago | sanjosespotlight.com | Annalise Freimarck

Libraries across Santa Clara County are bracing for a multimillion-dollar federal funding cut that could affect vital community programs — all during National Library Week. The California State Library learned last week President Donald Trump’s administration terminated a $15.7 million federal grant. The state library, which allocates these funds to libraries statewide, anticipated more than $3 million in grant funds remaining it had yet to receive.