San Jose, the notorious Silicon Valley tech hub, has been making headlines quite frequently for its outrageous living conditions. San Jose has topped the charts for being the most expensive place to live in the United States, and the housing market does not seem to be slowing down anytime soon, especially with tech companies such as Google making their way into the city.
With rent prices as high as $5,000 for a two-bedroom apartment, it is easy to see why the city has an increasing homeless population. Mayor Sam Liccardo, however, is about to change their lives for the better with the new “Beautify San Jose” program, launching next month.
There are 40 “trash hot spots” that have been identified in San Jose, and the city will soon hire 25 homeless people to clean up these litter-filled areas in an effort to clear the city of trash and junk (most of which is the result of homeless camps). Those who are hired to work will be paid $15 an hour and will work four to five shifts every day.
Image source: George Becker
This program is a crucial first step towards fixing the homeless epidemic in San Jose. Not only will it provide 25 people with an income, but it will also provide them with a sense of purpose, a job, and a feeling of accomplishment. For the homeless population in San Jose, this program is proof that it’s never too late to get a second chance and that there are so many opportunities available to them. This program could change their lives for the better and provide them with the motivation and the inspiration that they have probably been lacking to get back on their feet and to make a difference for themselves.
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I am really excited to see the outcomes of the program and hope that the results are positive. If the program proves successful, I can definitely see it as an ongoing effort and can see it making a wonderful contribution to San Jose’s homeless population. I hope the program will inspire other places in the world too. Homeless people are still people, and sometimes, all people need is a helping hand.
Image source: Pexels