☆ D2 Candidate Lopez on board for more quick-build, temporary shelters to address homelessness
We asked District 2 Council finalists for their perspectives on the upcoming Council debate regarding if, and how, Council should reallocate Measure E Housing funds. Joe Lopez' answer below. An Opp Now exclusive.
Opp Now's 2024 SJ Council elections question:
One of the more controversial issues facing City Council is whether or not to reallocate Measure E funds more towards interim and transitional housing, or to keep it predominantly focused on subsidized, affordable housing. Currently, the Measure E allocation is 75% subsidized housing, 15% homeless shelter and support, 10% prevention and rental assistance. What is your perspective on these allocations? And what would you take into consideration (as a Council member), if you were involved in the budget discussions?
Joe Lopez:
Like nearly every community in California, San Jose faces a crisis of both affordable housing, and homelessness. And while the two issues are of course linked, the future of our city depends greatly on how we move forward with building both more affordable, permanent housing and more homeless shelter and support.
I’m proud that District 2 has built its fair share of shelter, and on the City Council I will fight to make sure that other districts do the same. But it's not an either-or question. Measure E was pitched to voters as a way to help fund both permanent housing and housing for the homeless. I hear from residents all over our community who agree that San Jose needs more of both.
But right now, the cost of building “permanent, affordable” housing is often vastly more expensive than building temporary quick-build shelters. And while we definitely need both, I think if we want to make real progress getting the homeless off the streets and into stable housing, we need to spend more on the most cost-effective solutions – and that means more quick-build, temporary shelters.
--Joe Lopez
{Editor's note: Lopez was the only D2 candidate to respond to Opp Now's call for comments in time to meet our posting deadline.}
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