Real Estate Articles
County supervisor tells Realtors residents' tax dollars doing ton of good
Santa Clara County Supervisor Mike Wasserman is pictured here with SILVAR President Alan Barbic, Presiden-elect Mary Kay Groth, and past C.A.R. president and current SILVAR Los Gatos-Saratoga Chair Jim Hamilton.
Santa Clara County Supervisor Mike Wasserman is a staunch promoter of Santa Clara County. He also recognizes that the county is facing many challenges today.
At a Silicon Valley Association of Realtors district meeting in Los Gatos, the former Los Gatos Town Council member and mayor told Realtors that the county's $8 billion budget provides services for its two million residents. District 1 alone, which Wasserman represents and includes the cities of Los Gatos, Monte Sereno, Morgan Hill, Gilroy and portions of the city of San Jose, has a population of about 400,000 people.
A big proponent of housing, Wasserman said the county has begun implementing Measure A, the $950 million bond measure passed by residents two years ago. He said of the 4,800 new units to be construction under the bond measure, the county has already invested $234 million in six cities, funding 19 housing developments, 1,437 new affordable apartments, and the renovation of 484 apartments.
A longtime advocate for the homeless, Wasserman said the county is working with the cities to provide housing with services for the homeless. He indicated the average homeless person costs the county about $65,000 a year. A study has shown if housing and social services such as counseling, GED education, etc., are provided to a homeless person, the county would only spend $34,000 per homeless person per year.
According to the latest census, there are over 7,000 homeless in the county. Although the county has housed 5,154 homeless, including 1,100 homeless veterans, since 2015, it appears the 7,000 homeless count has not changed.
"The reality is more people are homeless every day," said Wasserman. "It's a huge problem with the high cost of living in the county."
Wasserman believes the county should continue providing housing and services to homeless residents. "It's the right thing to do and it will save tax dollars," he said.
Safety of residents is a top priority, said Wasserman. Since it has received much attention in the news, Wasserman explained the recent controversial decision by the board of supervisors to modify the county's sanctuary policy. He explained under current policy, local enforcement officials cannot honor civil detainer requests from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents unless the agents obtain a warrant.
After over seven hours of deliberation at a recent emotionally charged meeting attended by over 300 residents, the supervisors voted 4-1 to explore ways to revise the county's sanctuary policy to allow local law enforcement officials to notify ICE when an undocumented immigrant who has been convicted of a violent felony is being released from jail. The supervisors' action stems from the killing of San Jose resident Bambi Larson allegedly by Carlos Eduardo Arevalo Carranza, an undocumented immigrant with a long criminal history, who has been able to evade deportation by ICE.
Residents' tax dollars are at work in many other areas, said Wasserman. The county has put money into all-inclusive playgrounds, established a no kill animal shelter in Morgan Hill, and soon, in December, paraplegics will be able to be lowered into a rig so they can enjoy activities like boating and kayaking.
The county supervisor is also a strong promoter of the Santa Clara County Wine Trail. He said Santa Clara Valley is the oldest wine region in the state. There are about 30 Santa Clara Valley wineries located along this 28-mile route. He invited Realtors to promote the wine trail to their clients.
"Your tax dollars are doing a ton of good here and Santa Clara County is the best county in the nation," said Wasserman.
The Silicon Valley Association of REALTORS® (SILVAR) is a professional trade organization representing over 4,000 REALTORS® and Affiliate members engaged in the real estate business on the Peninsula and in the South Bay. SILVAR promotes the highest ethical standards of real estate practice, serves as an advocate for homeownership and homeowners, and represents the interests of property owners in Silicon Valley.
The term "REALTOR®" is a registered collective membership mark which identifies a real estate professional who is a member of the National Association of REALTORS® and who subscribes to its strict Code of Ethics.
Variations of this article have appeared in local area newspapers.
For further information, please email or call the SILVAR office at (408) 200-0100.