Apple to spend millions on outreach, relocation for homeless living on its San Jose land

Apple on Friday announced an initiative that will address a growing homeless community living on a tract of the company's undeveloped land in San Jose.

The program will be funded by millions of dollars pulled from Apple's $2.5 billion pledge to fight California's housing shortage, reports The Mercury News.

Apple said it will spend the money on outreach and relocation projects for the between 35 and 70 people living on its property at the corner of North First Street and Component Drive in North San Jose, the report said.

"Apple has long been focused on helping to combat the housing crisis across California and working with partners to support at-risk communities and provide new affordable units," Apple said in a statement. "In San Jose, we have been closely coordinating with local partners for several months to identify housing alternatives and support for families who will be transitioning away from the Component Drive site."

Outreach began this week and is being conducted by Milipitas-based non-profit HomeFirst. The group is sending social workers to interview community members and will work to find residents temporary and permanent housing, said HomeFirst CEO Rene Ramirez. Healthcare services and financial counseling will also be provided.

"We are excited to be partnering with Apple in developing a service model that places people first, and that goes above and beyond traditional encampment interventions," Ramirez said in a statement.

Apple earlier this week said it plans to build long-term affordable housing on a section of the plot.

The encampment on Apple's San Jose land, located near the Mineta San Jose International Airport, has reportedly grown in recent months after the City of San Jose performed an "enhanced cleanup" of neighboring areas. Residents on the plot live in wooden structures and mobile homes, and share space with an estimated 200 tons of hazardous trash and debris.

A fire broke out on the roughly 55-acre property this week, consuming about five acres of vegetation and an RV.

29 Comments

montyburns 39 comments · 12 Years

About 3 years ago

Stick that up your butt Mr Epic Games… where are your community initiatives????

sflocal 6133 comments · 16 Years

"Millions" for 35-70 people? Go figure.

The people throwing money at the homeless problem must be the same running the San Francisco money-pit as well.

MrBunside 62 comments · 3 Years

sflocal said:

"Millions" for 35-70 people? Go figure.

The people throwing money at the homeless problem must be the same running the San Francisco money-pit as well.

What else should they throw?

Brandonw 17 comments · 4 Years

sflocal said:

"Millions" for 35-70 people? Go figure.

The people throwing money at the homeless problem must be the same running the San Francisco money-pit as well.

That’s only $28-$57k per person to be relocated into housing.

I just googled and a pretty “rough” 879 sq ft 1 bedroom in San Jose is renting for $1900 a month.

mpantone 2243 comments · 18 Years

sflocal said:

"Millions" for 35-70 people? Go figure.

The people throwing money at the homeless problem must be the same running the San Francisco money-pit as well.

One thing for certain: you don't know squat about SF Bay Area real estate.

Small properties (like 1 bedroom condos) in much of Santa Clara County run around $700-800 per square foot. Even a small rental unit -- like a 400 sq. ft. studio (which don't really exist) -- for two years would probably run around $1200 per month.

Much of the "reasonably" priced real estate in the area dates from the housing boom of the late Sixties and early Seventies, mostly apartments and condo conversions, maybe ranging from a low $500/sq. ft. in the less expensive neighborhoods to $1000/sq. ft. in upscale neighborhoods like Palo Alto (their public school system drives up the price).

The article specifically states that Apple is also including some funding for healthcare (super expensive) and financial help.

It's not like they are going to relocate these people to Flint, Michigan and dumping them in tenements.

So yeah, "millions" for 35-70 people isn't so far fetched. But you don't know anything about cost of living in the SF Bay Area, specifically Santa Clara County, that is for sure.