200+ Families To Be Forced Out Of San Jose Apartment Complex After City Council Ruling
SAN JOSE (KCBS) -- Some 200 families may soon have to move out of a rent-controlled apartment complex in San Jose after the city council cleared the way for denser, market-rate apartments.
The council denied an appeal from residents of the Reserve Apartments on South Winchester Boulevard, clearing the way for their demolition.
"I feel really bad," Tony Real said. He's lived in the building for a decade. Real's unit is a two bedroom that he rented for about $1,900 per month.
"Most of these people have kids that go to school really close by. They're gonna have to find a different school," Real said.
The developer, Greystar Real Estate, wants to replace the 216 units with a denser housing project with up to 640 units, plus retail and outdoor dining.
The company is offering tenants a relocation package equivalent to three months' rent.
City Councilmember Johnny Khamis said the city should get more credit for increasing the amount of badly needed housing.
"If you added Cupertino, Los Gatos, Saratoga, Campbell all put together, they wouldn't equal what we're passing today in a year's time, for housing," Khamis said.
