Megan lives in a small apartment in San Jose that costs her more than $2,850 a month. She shares it with her two kids and elderly mother. Rent eats up nearly 80% of her monthly income — and that’s when her hours at work don’t get cut. Every first of the month, she holds her breath, wondering if this is the month she’ll fall short.

In Santa Clara County, Megan’s story isn’t rare. It’s the rule. The impossible cost of living here has quietly become one of the most devastating public emergencies we face. And the worst part? We treat it like background noise. As if it’s normal for families to spend more than half their income just trying to stay housed.

More than 50,000 extremely low-income renters in Santa Clara County don’t have access to an affordable home. And the options available are e

See Full Page