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Dear Friends,
Many of us have had the experience over the past year of noticing homes in our neighborhood, once lived in, suddenly go vacant as a result of foreclosure. There are signs everywhere of the impact the rise in foreclosures, along with the broader economic downturn, have had on our community, whether it’s stories of friends and neighbors trying to find a way to make their next payment, or a foreclosed property down the street in need of proper maintenance. With a foreclosure rate at 1.7% of all homes, San Jose has faired better than other parts of the country, but we’ve still seen a dramatic increase, from 5800 filings in all of 2007, to a total of 14,000 in 2008. There are ongoing efforts at the Federal and State level to address this problem, but I believe that we at the local level have a special obligation to help residents facing foreclosure access the best information and advice, and to respond when vacant properties become blighted. I’d like to give you an update on efforts the City is making in these areas.
For those at risk, the first step to avoiding foreclosure is to seek advice and learn the best strategies to address their situation. When people miss a payment, their first impulse is often to avoid contact with the lender, but the best strategy is almost always to engage the bank in trying to find a solution. The City is working with a local nonprofit, Neighborhood Housing Services Silicon Valley (NHSSV), to provide foreclosure prevention counseling that can help our residents work through these issues. To learn more about NHSSV’s counseling program, call them at (408) 279-2600, or visit their website at www.nhssv.org/. Counselors are certified by the Federal Department of Housing, which also provides a useful online foreclosure avoidance guide, found here. As part of an effort to make sure that our community knows that these resources are available, the City’s Housing Department is sponsoring a foreclosure prevention fair on Thrusday, April 23 from 12:00 - 5:00pm at the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds. A variety of resources will be on hand, including foreclosure prevention counselors, bank representatives, and social services providers.
In addition to helping our residents avoid foreclosure, the City also has a duty to respond when foreclosed properties become a blight on our neighborhoods. The City’s Code Enforcement Division has stepped up enforcement on foreclosed properties in an effort to head off these problems. They began by creating a database that allows them to identify foreclosed homes across the City and track ownership information. Once they identify a problem, recent State legislation has given us a new enforcement tool: cities can now levy fines of $1000 a day against banks that own foreclosed properties but don’t meet their maintenance obligations. Code Enforcement reports that most banks have been responsive once a problem has been identified. After the problem is resolved, Code monitors the property for a one year period, conducting periodic inspections, to ensure that the blight does not recur. If you have concerns about a foreclosed home in your neighborhood, please contact Code Enforcement at (408) 277-4528.
These are challenging times for all of us, but I’m confident that we’ll be able to meet them. If you have questions or comments about the foreclosure issue, or any other matter, please get in touch with my office at (408) 535-4909 or by email a district9@sanjoseca.gov.
Thank you for your interest,
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Community News
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Job Interview Skills
Where: Pearl Avenue Branch Library, 4270 Pearl Ave.
When: Thu, Apr 9, 6:00 AM - 7:00 AM
Be prepared for interview success, including how to answer those difficult questions. Class size is limited. Sign up at the customer service desk. Pre-registration required.
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District 9 Community Budget Meeting
Where: Cambrian Branch Library, 1780 Hillsdale Ave.
When: Thursday, May 7, 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
With the 2009-10 City budget process underway, and the proposed budget scheduled for release at the begining of May, Vice Mayor Chirco is planning to hold a community meeting on the budget. City staff will make presentation on this year's budget proposals and will be available to answer questions.
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Celebrate Cambrian Festival
Where: Camden Community Center, 3369 Union Ave.
When: Saturday, May 16, 11:00 - 3:00pm
Save the Date for Celebrate Cambrian Festival! This yearly community event includes live entertainment, free food, an art contest, and a variety of children's activities. Don't miss out on the fun!
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21st Annual San Jose Children's Faire
When: Saturday, April 25, 11:00am - 4:00pm
Where: Discovery Meadow, in front of the Children's Discovery Museum
This is a free family fun day, that will feature family-oriented stage entertainment, special attractions, and activity booths offering hands-on actities for children, ages 2 to 12, in addition to information about education, child care, health and safety, and creative arts and reacreational programs.
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IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance
Where: Cambrian Branch Library, 1780 Hillsdale Ave.
When: Sat, Apr 11, 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Puzzled by the new tax laws or which credits and deductions to take? Trained community volunteers can prepare your tax returns and help you with special credits such as Earned Income Tax Credit and the Child Tax Credit. Please bring your tax forms with you. This service is available on a first come, first served basis.
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Great American Litter Pickup
When: Saturday, April 25th, 8:00am
Where: Camden Community Center, 3369 Union Ave.
Volunteers are needed for the Great American Litter Pickup. District 9 Volunteers will meet at the Camden Community Center to receive litter pickup assignments and gear. Everyone will gather back at the community center for a free lunch.
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San Jose Spring Activity Guide
San Jose's Spring Activity Guide, a list of all programs and classes provided at the City's community centers, is now available online. From children's summer camps, to art classes, to yoga, you can find it all right here. Classes fill up, so be sure to and sign up early!
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Free Trees Available
Nearly 400 trees are still available to San Jose residents who are both a PG&E
customer and have central or window air conditioning! Choose from 5 beautiful species
and let Our City Forest place, plant and stake your FREE 5-gallon tree, all at no cost!
Download an application here or contact our friendly staff at OCF to receive one by
mail. We are always available to answer questions and personally help you complete
the application! Just call (408) 99-TREES x121 or e-mail
shadeandsave@ourcityforest.org.
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2009 Whistle Stop Housing Tour
When: Saturday, May 16, 8:00am-1:00pm
Where: Starting Location: Water Tower Plaza, 300 Orchard City Drive, Campbell
Come explore transit-oriented housing development along the newly-opened Winchester light rail line. The May 16 Whistle Stop Tour, sponsored by the Silicon Valley Leadership Group, will show community members, leaders and public officials different examples of residential development adjacent to the light rail line between the Downtown Campbell Station and Diridon Station. At each stop, you will be greeted by an expert who will review some of the unique features of each housing development, as well as highlight planning and design elements that may be applicable to your community.
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