\u201cWith the cost of living, the cost of groceries and gas, having to shell out for school supplies is a big expense for families,\u201d Demone Carter, spokesperson for Sacred Heart<\/a>, said. \u201cThis program alleviates that. We only wish we could do it for more folks.\u201d<\/p>\n He said the government and community need to ensure students across income levels have access to quality education.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re seeing school closures<\/a>. We\u2019re seeing programs like our Summer Academy program facing funding cuts,\u201d he told San Jos\u00e9 Spotlight. \u201cWealth and prosperity is not being shared across the community, and it creates real problems. We have to come together as a community and say, \u2018Do we value equity in sharing the success and the wealth that this region creates, or are we okay leaving certain folks behind?’\u201d<\/p>\n In 2024, the Silicon Valley Pain Index<\/a> showed nine households held $110 billion in liquid wealth \u2014 12 times more than the bottom 50% of households in the region.<\/p>\n Of Santa Clara County\u2019s more than 10,000 homeless residents, 21% are families with children, according to the 2025 Silicon Valley Pain Index<\/a>. More than 2,200 San Jose students are experiencing homelessness \u2014 a threefold increase since 2020. An estimated 54,582 low-income households in San Jose don\u2019t have access to affordable housing, according to the index.<\/p>\n Assemblymember Ash Kalra said state lawmakers are placing a housing bond<\/a> on the ballot to raise funds to shelter homeless families.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re talking about billions of dollars that can go to actually building permanent affordable housing for the long term,\u201d he told San Jos\u00e9 Spotlight.<\/p>\n District 2 San Jose Councilmember Pamela Campos said additional funding is needed to create affordable housing for all income levels, especially to house vulnerable residents. She told San Jos\u00e9 Spotlight the city is partnering with an unnamed school district on a pilot program to identify its number of homeless students and families and provide them with affordable housing assistance.<\/p>\n Campos said the city budget for 2026-27<\/a> includes $920,000 to implement the Children and Youth Services Master Plan. The City Council separately budgeted for the Family, Friend, and Neighbor caregiver support network, San Jose\u2019s Youth Empowerment Summit and connecting South San Jose families with health and community resources.<\/p>\n Vivian Le, director of community development for Sacred Heart Community Service, said backpacks are a necessity as school closures<\/a> cause students to walk further distances. Le said it adds to a youth\u2019s self-esteem. Sacred Heart\u2019s recent annual report shows when basic needs are met early, it bridges the achievement gap and boosts classroom attendance.<\/p>\n \u201cIt is their dignity. It is the peace of mind that allows them to focus on their classwork,\u201d Le said. \u201cWhen we give a child a backpack, we aren\u2019t just handing over paper and pencils. You are supporting a community united to ensure every child is free from poverty and has an equal opportunity to thrive.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/PXL_20260707_173552532-002-1024x771.jpg\")
San Jose Councilmember Pamela Campos said additional funding is needed to create affordable housing for all income levels, and especially for vulnerable residents. Photo by Lorraine Gabbert.<\/p>\n
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