A mobile home park in Palo Alto that faced closure, which would have displaced hundreds residents, will remain open for now.
On Wednesday, Santa Clara Superior Court Judge Brian Walsh ruled that nobody could be evicted from Buena Vista Mobile Home Park until the city determines exactly how much it would cost to relocate each household. The judgment reverses a City Council’s decision in 2015 to allow the park’s owners to close the park and sell it off to developers.
Owners of Buena Vista—the Jisser family—have been trying to sell the property since 2012. But the community is the last bastion of affordable housing in Palo Alto and home to 400 mostly low-income residents, who pushed back.
The ensuing land-use fight turned into a court battle and prompted Santa Clara County to offer to buy the park to avoid mass displacement.
The Housing Authority of Santa Clara County has offered to buy the park, to preserve what’s left of affordable housing in Palo Alto. The county and city offered to share the cost. In a meeting held earlier this week, the housing agency’s board voted unanimously to make an offer on the property and kick off negotiations.
“This is an important step forward,” said county Supervisor Joe Simitian. “With everyone pulling together we’re well positioned to preserve 117 units of affordable housing, prevent the eviction of 400 low income residents, and ensure that the current property owner receives full and fair market value for the property.”
If the Jissers reject the housing authority’s offer, officials said they’re willing to exercise eminent domain. The city will consider next month whether to appeal Walsh’s ruling.
Click here to read the ruling, which the Palo Alto Daily Post uploaded online.
The City and County should stay out of the non profit housing market, they should be encouraging private enterprise
by getting out of the way.
What is your definition of affordable in a place that go for millions an acre. What will eventually need to be done is start converting all those untouchable lands that surround the valley, or start moving high paying jobs out of the area.
This is rapidly becoming a miserable place to live.
what you talking about? With out government intervention there would be no affordable housing. I hope you lose your place to stay and see what it’s really like – your an a-hole
Nachidork,
I am losing my place, property taxes are forcing me to sell and move out of state so A-holes like you get a free ride.
Not your, it’s you’re an A-hole
> But the community is the last bastion of affordable housing in Palo Alto and home to 400 mostly low-income residents, who pushed back.
Good grief! Talk about persecution of individuals.
How many provisions of the U.S. Constitution does this violate? Equal protection under the law? Unlawful searches and seizures? Bill of attainder?
If the smug bastards at Stanford want to provide “affordable housing in Palo Alto for mostly low-income residents” just evict some white trust fund children from their comfy dorms on campus and bring in the “huddled masses yearning to breathe free”, live in free housing, and vote for Democrat politicians. Maybe the huddled masses could reconstitute the Stanford band.
Great idea Mr Bubble,
A quick search of GOOGLE earth reveals lots of vacant land with a view just west of Stanford befor you get to 280.
Perhaps the city, county, state, and collage can get together and donate some land for a derelict trailer park or two.
I can hear the screeching already,” you can’t build anything up there that’s an environmentally sensitive area”.
Ok cover it with windmills and solar panels!