City receives $5.4 million in relief
State money will help 350 families seeking a home
SAN JOSE >> With 350 families still scrambling to find a home after February’s floods and donated money quickly running out, the state approved $5.4 million for rental vouchers, new cars and case management for victims.
The state funding comes as San Jose leaders on Tuesday extended a “local emergency” declaration — first enacted on Feb. 28, a week after the disaster. The declaration, which lasts another 30 days, allows San Jose to continue receiving aid and recover costs.
A relief fund set up in the days following the Feb. 21 flood netted $6.9 million in private donations from groups like the Silicon Valley Auto Dealers Association, Sobrato Philanthropies and the SAP Foundation. But the fund is now closed and there’s a little more than $2 million left to help those still fighting to piece their lives back together.
“I know there are many families who are still struggling and the last thing I want to see is families being cut off because the money ran out,” said Assemblyman Ash Kalra, a former San Jose councilman, who led a delegation in Sacramento to secure the extra money. “This will provide a longer runway to make sure the remaining families are given the opportunity to find permanent housing as well.”
The Coyote Creek floods triggered 14,000 evacuations and displaced 800 households. Hundreds of San Jose families remain in temporary housing.
Councilman Tam Nguyen, whose district was hit with the worst flooding, publicly called for an accounting of how the $6.9 million from the relief fund was spent.
The fund was managed by the Silicon Valley Community Foundation, which issued grants to five nonprofits to directly help flood victims. City officials reported that Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County got the biggest chunk — about $4 million — for case management, temporary housing, rental subsidies and car replacement for up to 300 flooded households.
Catholic Charities will have $2.1 million left over by the end of June, according to a report obtained by this news organization.
Sacred Heart Community Service has fully spent the $2.5 million it got from the fund. The nonprofit issued 740 checks for $3,000 a piece to flood victims. The American Red Cross received $150,000 for “basic needs assistance” for up to 250 households. That money has also been spent.
Salvation Army spent the $50,000 it received for shelter meal services and donation coordination for up to 150 households. VIVO, a Vietnamese-American nonprofit, got $100,000 to help 82 households. It’s unclear how much VIVO had left over.
A total of $350,000 in $500 gift cards was given to 700 homeless people impacted by the flood.
“We want to make sure the money is being spent on the right uses,” Nguyen said. He later tweeted his frustration with not knowing where the money went. “I have requested many times, on the dais, by emails, and in person too. I have no answer for the inquiring public,” Nguyen tweeted.
City officials said a full accounting from the Silicon Valley Community Foundation is expected soon.
San Jose leaders, meanwhile, voiced gratitude to Kalra and other state legislators for securing the additional money.