09/30/2022
Yesterday, over 100 neighbors and friends came out in support of our effort to hold KDF Communities accountable. Nearly 3 months ago, tenants at Valley Palms, Foxdale, Orchard Glen, and Regency in the Cadillac Wi******er Neighborhood received notices of rent increases as high as 20% slated for October 1st. As tenants of tax-credit properties owned by this for-profit developer, we organized, mobilized, and continue to fight. KDF, who owns 9 properties in Santa Clara County and is one of the largest developers of “affordable” housing, then lowered the increases to 10%. The rent at tax-credit properties is tied to Area Median Income (AMI), which increased by nearly $18,000 since last year in Santa Clara County; this leaves low-income residents extremely vulnerable to housing insecurity. On top of the proposed increases that, if passed, will displace many of our neighbors, KDF has a history of failing to maintain safe and healthy apartment units. In an unlikely collaboration given decades of history between the two neighborhoods, Valley Palms and Foxdale tenants have come together to demand better for their families and their communities. Three weeks ago, we sent a letter signed by tenants to KDF and John Stewart Company to call for no increase at all or a maximum of 5% at all their properties. Today is September 30th, rents are increasing by an average $200-$250 tomorrow and we have yet to receive a response. This was the first of many actions until we can get KDF to the table to hear the concerns of our communities. Ya basta!
Thank you to our partners in this effort: LUNA, Working Partnerships, Law Foundation of Silicon Valley San Jose Councilmember Maya Esparza Supervisor Cindy Chavez Supervisor Susan Ellenberg Vice Mayor Chappie Jones Councilmember Sylvia Arenas Councilmember Magdalena Carrasco City of San José Housing Department, Project Hope, and Crime Prevention Unit, East San Jose PEACE Partnership, and many more!
