Silicon Valley’s most vulnerable live in filthy homes

Santa Clara County is implementing a new system to consolidate all rental assistance programs under the nonprofit Abode Services. Additionally, the county has applied for a grant aimed at acquiring, constructing, or rehabilitating licensed residential facilities to prevent their closure and has allocated $2 million for a landlord incentive program to encourage property improvements.

Margaret Obilor, division director at Santa Clara County Behavioral Health Services, explained to San José Spotlight, “The closure of licensed board and care homes has significantly reduced the number of available placements for individuals. This has driven us to explore alternative solutions.”

Holmkvist, who has recently left a deteriorating home in downtown San Jose, now feels safe and is volunteering at the Recovery Cafe. He aspires to become a drug and alcohol counselor and has maintained sobriety for nearly two years. “My mental health has greatly improved. I’ve processed my trauma, established a routine, and stabilized my medication,” he told San José Spotlight. “Stable, safe housing has helped me reintegrate into society.”

For more information, contact Joyce Chu at joyce@sanjosespotlight.com or follow @joyce_speaks on X (formerly Twitter).