Tag: <span>Stay</span>

Affordable Housing

What is the Problem?

Affordable housing in Milpitas, Santa Clara County, CA. Programs for first time buyers, teachers, and seniors looking for low cost, below market rate (BMR) housing.

HUD Community Programs
There are many ways for you to get involved in your community – but first, you need to become an informed citizen. Find out what kinds of funds and opportunities are available for communities. Learn the facts about your community. And let your local government know what you think.

SV@Home
SV@Home is uniquely positioned to advocate for housing solutions.

The voice for affordable housing in the Silicon Valley. A membership organization, SV@Home advocates for policies, programs, land use, and funding that lead to an increased supply of affordable housing. Additionally, SV@Home educates elected officials and the community about the need for housing, and the link between housing and other quality of life outcomes, including education, health, transportation, and the environment

See also ~ Homeless in Milpitas

Solutions to Affordable Housing

Discounted Housing
Grants and Funding Programs
Homeless in Milpitas
Senior Housing & Living Centers

Discounted Housing

Below Market Rate (BMR) Housing Program in Milpitas
READ ME FIRST! To be eligible for a below market rate home, you must be a first-time homebuyer (meaning you, as the applicant and your spouse or co-applicants have not owned a home during the 3-year period prior to date of the application), have the ability to provide at least 10% required down payment, and household’s income cannot exceed very-low, low- or moderate as defined by the California Department of Housing and Community Development, please refer to the chart on this link. For any questions or concerns, please contact: Sara Court, Housing Planner, scourt@ci.milpitas.ca.gov / 408-586-3269

To apply, obtain the BMR application.
Currently the City of Milpitas has an OPEN waiting list for the BMR program. Please note: waiting time varies.
– Submit all required documentation as listed on the application
– If you are submitting for a preference, please provide applicable documentation
– After submission, you will be placed on the waiting list based on time of submission and preference (if applicable) until a unit becomes available in your income category.

First ever 100% affordable housing development in Milpitas is accepting pre-applications
By Rhoda Shapiro & Eric Shapiro
Milpitas Beat,April 18, 2023
Looking for an affordable apartment in Milpitas? The City of Milpitas will soon be opening a 100% affordable housing development, and has announced that the pre-application waitlist for those seeking to live there is now open. The development, located at 355 Sango Court, is the first project in Milpitas funded by the County Measure A Affordable Housing Bond. The City of Milpitas itself put a $6.5 million investment into the project.

Until April 24, 2023 at 12 pm (noon), pre-applications can be submitted online. Applicants must show the ability to pay the rent, which means that their total household income must be about two times the rent. See the link for table of incomes per unit.

First-Time Homebuyers Assistance
California Housing Finance Agency (CHFA) offers a first-time homebuyer down payment assistance program for low-income residents to purchase a new home.

Milpitas, CA Low Income Housing
We list 9 low income housing complexes in and around Milpitas, California. We list the following: HUD apartments, Section 8 apartments, Public Housing apartments, Non profit low income apartments, and Low income tax credit apartments. Looking for government and non-profit programs to assist you with paying for your rent?
Check our sister website, Rent Assistance.

Housing Division of Milpitas
Please contact Building Safety Department at 408-586-3240.

Planning & Neighborhood Services Department
The City of Milpitas is in the process of updating its affordable housing policies. Part of the update process is the consideration of adopting an affordable housing fee applicable to new residential and non-residential developments.

Summary, Context Materials, and Recommendations Report
A concise version of the affordable housing nexus studies prepared by Keyser Marston Associates, Inc. (KMA) and presents analyses designed to provide context for policy decisions. It also outlines recommendations for the City of Milpitas regarding the City’s affordable housing policies for residential development and consideration of a potential new affordable housing impact fee for non-residential development.

Sunnyhills Apartments
• 171 bedroom units.
• Section 8 Project-Based Rental Assistance
Since this property has a Project-Based Section 8 contract with HUD, some or all of the rents at this community are based on tenant incomes. Tenants leasing units participating in the Section 8 Project-Based Rental Assistance program typically contribute less than 30% of their adjusted income towards rental costs.
1724 Sunnyhills Dr.
408-263-2626

Teacher Next Door Program
The program offers HUD-owned, single family homes to public and private school teachers at 50 percent discount.

When it comes to affordable housing, Milpitas is leaning all the way in.
At a special City Council meeting on Tuesday, June 12, several groundbreaking actions were taken to create more affordable housing opportunities for local residents. Among them was approval of a site development permit, density bonus, and environmental assessment to build 100-102 affordable housing units for low-income residents and veterans at 355 Sango Court.

Grants and Funding Programs

California Housing Finance Agency
Rental housing, home ownership assistance. Small business development.

Center for Responsible Lending
Advocates fair lending through equitable treatment of all borrowers. This is a link about morgage lending.

Community Technology Alliance
Our focus is to increase the community’s access to available resources for unhoused and at risk residents, and facilitate a collaborative and holistic system approach to assisting this population.

Housing Trust of Santa Clara County
A catalyst to develop specific, desperately needed housing in Santa Clara County through an innovative blend of corporate and community investors.

Local Initiative Support Collaborative (LISC)
LISC provides grants, loans and equity investments to CDCs for neighborhood redevelopment. 369 Pine Street, Suite 350, San Francisco, CA 408-94104, (415) 397-7322.

Silicon Valley Habitat for Humanity
People with Disabilities are encouraged to apply: one home will be constructed to meet the Uniform Federal Accessibility Standards for persons with mobility impairments. 513 Valley Way, 408-942-6444.

Fighting Homelessness

Homeless in Milpitas
Milpitas needs to be more aware of the plight of the homeless in our small city, living in forested freeway exits and under bridges next to our streams.

Milpitas Rent Relief available NOW!
Are you behind on rent due to COVID/Pandemic-related causes and need some support? Let the Milpitas Rent Relief program help you!

Senior Housing & Living Centers

Senior Housing & Living Centers
Senior specific living communities in Milpitas, California.

Milpitas Hotels

Finding hotels, motels, or extended stay accommodations in or near Milpitas couldn’t be easier! Look for discounted hotel rates, room availability and reserve right here.

Near Fremont

Marriott Residence Inn
1501 California Circle
This hotel features mini-apartment-like suites for long stays.
(408) 941-9222

South Side
Near 880, Montague Expy, south McCarthy Blvd. and San Jose

Element San Jose Milpitas
521 Alder Drive
The brand is a standout in the extended-stay segment with bright modern design, eco-conscious standards and an innovative guest experience that resonates with today’s traveler.
(408) 435-9910

Sonesta Silicon Valley
1820 Barber Lane
Has an atmosphere of a comfortable “home away from home” … with an award winning chef on staff!
(408) 943-9080

Sheraton San Jose
1801 Barber Lane
Is actually in Milpitas. Close to “Golden Triangle,” it caters to needs of the business traveler.
(408) 943-0600

Near the Great Mall, Montague Expy and San Jose
Convenient for shoppers, those doing business with the Great Mall, and close enough to new BART station to walk.

Courtyard Milpitas Silicon Valley
1480 Falcon Drive
A Marriott Hotel for business travelers. Special for Great Mall weekend shoppers and other weekend visitors.
(408) 719-1966

TownePlace Suites Milpitas Silicon Valley
1428 Falcon Drive
Guests can now visit the Great America Theme Park for free while enjoying Marriott accommodations and amenities. Extended stay for long-term business travelers. Pets welcome. Offers special Great Mall Of The Bay Area rates.
(408) 719-1959

West Side
McCarthy Ranch Shopping Center, North of 237 and West of 880

Hilton Garden Inn San Jose/Milpitas
30 Ranch Dr.
Convenient to Cisco, KLA Tencor and Western Digital.
(408) 719-1313

Larkspur Landing Milpitas
40 Ranch Dr.
For those staying longer.
(408) 719-1212

Near Milpitas Square Shopping Center, South of 237 and West of 880
Convenient to Cisco, KLA Tencor and Western Digital.

Sonesta San Jose
777 Bellew Dr. (South side of 237)
Has large conference facilities. For the technically curious, they have an automated butler to bring you stuff.
(408) 321-9500

Extended Stay America
330 Cypress Dr.
Pet-friendly rooms available. On-premise coin-operated laundry facility.
408-433-9700

Hampton Inn Milpitas
215 Barber Lane
Accessible hotel rooms.
(408) 428-9090

Staybridge Suites
321 Cypress Drive
Designed for the business traveler, we can shuttle you to work and pick you up again. Outdoor pool.
(408) 383-9500

Central Milpitas
Near W. Calaveras Rd. and East of 880

Best Western Plus Brookside
400 Valley Way
Dog-friendly, pool. Right next to 880, so easy to find.
(408) 263-5566

Days Inn Milpitas
270 South Abbott Avenue
Across the street from FedEx. Tucked in from busy streets, so rooms a little quieter.
(408) 946-8889

Heritage Inn – Silicon Valley
378 W. Calaveras Blvd.
Easy access to freeways, shopping and restaurants, complimentary Wi-Fi and outdoor pool.
(408) 263-0500

Main Street

Americas Best Value Inn
485 S. Main St.
Designed for the traveler who is looking for a luxurious room at an economy price. Closest to Elwood Jail.
(408) 946-8383

Baymont Inn and Suites
66 S. Main St.
In heart of revitalized Main St., Milpitas.
(408) 262-7685

East Side
Near 680 and E. Calaveras Blvd.

A few blocks from the Milpitas Town Center and civic buildings.

Executive Inn Hotel
95 Dempsey Rd.
Located in the heart of Silicon Valley convenient to major hi-tech companies, shopping at the Great Mall and within walking distance of many restaurants. Review.
(408) 262-5400

Embassy Suites Milpitas Silicon Valley
901 E. Calaveras
Noted for its interior courtyard and fine restaurant. Choose east facing room for view of the mountains.
(408) 942-0400

Rentals & Rent Assistance – Apartments & Homes in Milpitas, CA

As home prices soar, those with new employment often seek rental apartments, condos, or homes in Milpitas, where, though still fairly high, are often as nice as far more expensive housing on the west side of Silicon Valley.


COVID-19 Assistance Programs

  • Santa Clara County Financial Assistance Program
  • City of Milpitas Rent Relief Program
  • Santa Clara County Ban on Residential and Small Business Evictions
    The State of California legislature has enacted, and the Governor has signed, two state laws, Assembly Bill No. 3088, which took effect on August 31, 2020, and Senate Bill No. 91, which took effect on February 1, 2021, that provide state-wide eviction and foreclosure protections for many residential tenants and property owners suffering from economic hardship due to COVID-19. These protections extend through June 30, 2021. State law has replaced local legislation, including the County’s ordinance, in providing protections for​ ​residential ​tenants facing evictions.
  • Additional COVID-19 housing resources will be posted here as they become available.
  • CA COVID-19 Rent Relief
    The federal Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 provides funding to support the program and tenant (renter) protection laws signed by Governor Newsom. Rent Relief Call Center: 833-430-2122

Rentals-Apartments, Homes

Low Income Apartments in Milpitas

Aspen Family Apartments
Our apartment community was built in 2008 with a total of 100 units, ranging from two- to three-bedroom apartment homes. These units feature eleven-foot ceilings, high speed internet access, great natural light, and so much more. Near Concentre Urgent Care and Sad Keep Storage.
60 Mihalakis Dr.
408-934-9201

Cerano Apartments
Cerano has set aside a percentage of our apartments for households earning up to 110% of Santa Clara County’s median household income. Near Western Digital and Coyote Creek.
501 Murphy Ranch Road
408-914-2666

Available Rentals

Apartment List – Milpitas
Having trouble with Craigslist Milpitas? Can’t find that special apartment for rent on Apartment Finder or Zillow? Apartment List is here to help!

Craig’s List
Message board with lots of Bay Area shared housing. Link is to housing available in South Bay, but you may click through to other Bay Area housing areas, too.

PadMapper – Milpitas
PadMapper has over half a million active pet-friendly apartments for rent across the U.S. and Canada. Here are our specific listings in Milpitas. See also Rent Trends for Apartments in Milpitas.

Dispute Resolution


Rent Review Program and Tenant Protections (00:49:00 – 01:48:10)


Ordinance Just Cause Eviction Protection for Tenants (01:48:45 – 03:26:25)
“A huge win” as Milpitas City Council adopts just cause, tenant protections
MilpitasBeat. By Lloyd Alaban, October 16, 2019. The unanimous votes, effective immediately, enforce just cause protections for tenants and fast track the creation of a rent review board to mediate rent increase disputes between tenants and landlords. The Council also unanimously approved a pilot rent aid program to help households that parent homeless children.

California Tenants—A Guide to Residential Tenants’ and Landlords’ Rights and Responsibilities
California Department of Consumer Affairs online publications regarding rights and responsibilities. We’ve provided information about rental applications, unlawful discrimination, security deposits, repair responsibilities, rent increases, termination of leases, and eviction notices. We’ve included an inventory checklist for use before moving in, and again when moving out.

Fair Housing It’s Your Right
The Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination in housing because of: Race or color, National origin, Religion, Sex, Familial status (including children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal custodians; pregnant women and people securing custody of children under 18), or Handicap.

Field Guide to Fair Housing
The concept of Fair Housing seems simple enough. One may not discriminate based on specific criteria. However, the day-to-day practical application of Fair Housing can be fraught with misunderstanding and misinformation. Discrimination in sale, lease or rental of housing because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin is illegal.

Landlord-tenant law: an Overview
The law of landlord-tenant governs the rental of commercial and residential property in the United States. It is primarily composed of state statutory and common law. Cornell. A good starting place for disputes regarding rentals.

Rent Relief Program
The Rent Relief program offers various forms of financial relief to City of Milpitas residents with emergency housing needs. The Rent Relief Program provides eligible recipients relief funding for:

  • Rent/Deposit Relief
  • Emergency Hardship Relief
  • Eviction Prevention
  • Domestic Violence Relocation
  • Child & Family Homelessness Relief
  • Section 8 Good Faith Deposits

Milpitas Renters Coalition
We are a grassroots Facebook group of Milpitas tenants and other community members who are deeply invested in preventing the displacement of renters in Milpitas. We make decisions collectively and need your voice to help combat evictions and rent gouging.

Project Sentinel
Provides mediation and counseling services for tenant landlord and other community disputes. In Milpitas, contact Project Sentinel at 408-720-9888, for information, counseling and mediation. About Mobile home rental disputes, contact The City of Milpitas at 408-942-2324.

Rental Housing On Line
This site contains: Forms & Agreements, State Landlord Tenant Law, Housing Acts and Agencies, Vacancy Listings, Buying Property, Marketing, Selecting Tenants, Tax Help, FAQ’s and much more.

Tri-County Apartment Association
Resources for both those who have rentals and those who wish to rent in Santa Clara, Santa Cruz and San Mateo Counties.

Real Estate-Homes in Milpitas

Buy or sell your home in Milpitas or Silicon Valley, California, with help from our friendly realtors and these real estate listings.

Start looking for a new place to live in the southeast end of Milpitas, then work your way north along the eastern edge of town, east of I-680. The northwest corner of Milpitas is too close to the dump, and very bad odors permeate the air there when the compost is turned, or the breezes come off the Bay across the dump. The southwest corner of Milpitas is close to the new BART station and the light rail and buses at the Great Mall. So if you’ll be commuting to Apple or Google or even San Francisco, that area would be ideal. The quadrants of Milpitas are generally defined by Calaveras Blvd. and Milpitas Blvd.

Click on our Education category here to find out about our local schools. School boundaries can change, but tend to be fairly consistent. If you move here mid-school year, and your neighborhood school is impacted, your children may be assigned to another school.


Milpitas Development near BART – Dec 29, 2018

Housing News

State requires Milpitas to double housing production
Milpitas Beat. By Grace Hase, May 25, 2021. After falling behind on its state-mandated housing goals, the city of Milpitas will need to permit more units than ever before in the coming years. Preliminary numbers from the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) suggest the Silicon Valley suburb will need to approve 6,713 homes –– 2,655 of them affordable –– between 2023 and 2031.

Advice

California Association of Realtors – Legal Information
News about changes to real estate laws, help for home owners, etc.

Real Estate Law
Nolo Press has advice on your legal rights when buying or selling a home. Site also includes your rights and responsibilities as a good neighbor, say, regarding noise, trees and fences.

Agents ~ Milpitas Realtors

Annalyn Artadi
I Heart Real Estate Team.
1794 Clear Lake Ave.
408-230-4916

Tina Broyles
Tina Broyles is a California Bay Area Resident serving the Real Estate community since 1987.
408-332-7479

Debbie Giordano
Broker associate of Master Brokers
1916 Grand Teton Dr.
408-945-8988

Hussein Issack
Intero. Young agent who has lived here some time. Facebook.
200 Sierra Way #44
408-770-6798

Judy Wang Realtors
A real estate brokerage company helping home buyers and sellers in the Silicon Valley and throughout the Bay Area.
1140 Cadillac Ct.
408-582-9928

Malik Husain
Husain Team’s pledge is to provide you with sound real estate advice, helping you to understand the strategies of decision making and the future implications of the decisions you make. Intero Real Estate Services
848 N Hillview Dr.
408-806-7764

Platinum Realty Group
Kelly Yip, Broker/BranchManager, 408-482-1755
Victor San Vicente, Real Estate Broker & Loan Consultant, 408-718-8218
500 E Calaveras Blvd. #200

Associations

California Association of Realtors
Information for consumers as well as professional services for realtors.

Santa Clara County Association of Realtors
Exists to meet the business, professional and political needs of Real Estate Professionals and to protect private property rights.

Calculators

Cost of Living Calculator
Cost of Living scores and indexes are a way to compare the overall price of goods and services between different areas of the United States. The national average is 100, so when you look at a place’s COL Index you can instantly see how much more or less you’ll have to pay to live there.

Developers

Bay Home Builders
We’re offering complete home remodeling services for affordable prices.
142 N Milpitas Blvd #330
408-206-0832

Devcon Construction
Devcon is capable of building very large commercial and industrial buildings. For example, they built McCarthy Ranch.
690 Gibraltar Drive
408-408-942-8200

Parkside at Tarob Court
Parkside at Tarob Court offers impressive townhomes conveniently located near major employers, future parks, the Milpitas BART Station and the VTA Light Rail. Built by Toll Brothers.
523 Lundy Pl.
844-790-5263

SCS Development
Style, vision and life connect in our unique collections of apartment homes.
THE EDGE, 844-427-0173
AMALFI, 855-291-1872

Home Sales Activity

Milpitas Home Sales Trends
The following chart shows median and average price trends plus sales. The chart uses a 12-month moving average to eliminate any seasonal variation.

Real Estate Transactions
Check out what homes have recently sold in Milpitas. From the Mercury News.

Zillow.com
Homes for sale in Milpitas, California.

Listings

New Milpitas Homes

BA.Market.Housing
Bay Area News Group with listings of available housing. Use your browser’s “FIND” command to look for “Milpitas.”

California Living Network
C.A.R. has teamed up with RealSelect and N.A.R. to offer California consumers the most comprehensive real estate site on the Internet.

Coldwell Banker
Search for homes in Milpitas, or get advice on buying or selling real estate.

Commercial Real Estate Search Tool
Find commercial property to lease or buy in Milpitas.

HomeGain
Provides Milpitas, California real estate information and resources to guide homeowners and homebuyers through the process of selling and buying a house, condo or other property in Milpitas, CA.

Home Finder – Milpitas
Shows listings for property and homes in our area code.

Homes & Land Publishing
Online version of that give-away magazine, specific to Milpitas.

New Homes Magazine
Established in 1967, New Homes has pioneered print and electronic real estate information publishing by providing homebuyers with detailed information on home builders and new home communities throughout Northern California.

Mortgages

California Mortgage Rates
Presented by Zillow.

Transactions

Property Search – Real Property
Currently, the County Assessor’s Office allows residents to view, free of charge, basic information about properties in Santa Clara County such as assessed value, assessor’s parcel number (APN), document number, property address and other information.

Prepare for a Fire or Earthquake Emergency

I will try to be as specific here to Milpitas residents as possible about how to prepare for emergencies such as wild fires, earthquakes, and sometimes floods. The preparation for all three are the same, but you will get more warning for some than others.

Home Selection

Buy or rent in areas generally far from the wild lands of the east hills. Every section of those hills have had a fire at one time or another, though the scars have long faded as new grass returns. So far fires there have not crossed Piedmont Road, but warnings to prepare for evacuation have been giving to those in neighborhoods on the west side of that road.

Never get a home at the top or bottom of a cliff, even if the view is great. Look at the hills. It is fairly easy to see where there has been running water and sections of the hills have slipped.

Avoid areas that have flooded in the past. That creek may look charming and harmless now, but can become a torrent in heavy rains. The creeks have been fortified, true, but that once in a lifetime flood could still happen. Coyote Creek area can liquefy during a quake.

There is no escaping the fact that our hills were formed by the Calaveras Fault. We will always have earthquakes, but most aren’t bad…yet. The 2003 Working Group for California Earthquake Probability assigned an 11% probability that the Calaveras Fault would produce a magnitude 6.7 or larger earthquake in the next 30 years. See the shake map on our Earthquake page.

Expect that your Milpitas home will be made of wood and stucco, and never brick. Make sure your home has been anchored to its foundation. Do not buy or rent a home that has not been bolted to its foundation!

Day to Day Tips

I know your mom told you to put your clothes back in the closet or laundry hamper each night. Here in Milpitas leave your shoes next to the side of the bed away from a window, and the clothes you just wore nearby, ready to put on should you prefer not to run from your home naked. You can always put the clothes away in the morning. Your bedroom window may break, so don’t place your bed right near it. Assume glass may have gotten in your shoes, so inspect first. Keep a sweatshirt or jacket nearby, even in hot summer weather. Nights can be cool around here.

Keep your medications in box or drawer you could grab fast to take with you. You may need to take extra precautions if you have small children to keep that box or drawer locked. I use a pretty box I found at Michaels.

Keep a flashlight and a battery operated radio in your bedroom, so you can find out what is going on. Should you get trapped, also have a loud whistle. Remember that the call for help is three short bursts, three long bursts, then three short bursts. Wait a little bit to start it up again.

Everything but the clothes could go in a big enough box for your medications.

Know where every family member is at any time of the day or night. You will need to round them up and get them all to safety.

Keep you car’s gas tank always half full minimum, or fully charged each night.

Get everyone over age 12 trained in first aid and emergency preparedness through a youth program such as Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts, Red Cross, local CERT team, or whatever source you can find. Businesses often train teams of employees in these skills.
emergency kit

Make a 72-hour Survival Kit in Advance

You will probably save money and have exactly the stuff you really use if you prepare an Emergency To Go Bag yourself. Many items can be found at local pharmacies, hardware, groceries, and sporting goods stores.

OK, Let’s Prepare the Basics

  • Water – there’s NOTHING more important! You’ll need one gallon of water per person, per day. And you should plan for at least three days. So if there are 5 people in your family, that’s 5 gallons of water per day for three days, equaling 15 gallon of water at the ready!
  • Food. Choose something nonperishable that’s easy to store and carry, like canned goods or freeze-dried food. Remember a can opener!
  • Flashlight – remember extra batteries!
  • Battery-powered or hand-crank radio – NOAA Weather is best.
  • First aid kitRed Cross recommended kit contents
  • Medications – any prescription drugs you or your family need to live, plus over-the-counter items you use like aspirin or allergy meds. Remember an extra pair of glasses if you wear corrective lenses!
  • Multi-purpose tool and duct tape
  • Sanitation and personal hygiene items – Remember a roll of toilet paper and hand sanitizer, feminine products
  • Copies of personal documents – birth certificate, Social Security card, driver’s license, deed/lease to home, passports, insurance policies plus list of medications. Put all of these in a plastic ziplock bag. If you have the means, scan all important documents and store in one of your cloud accounts. Be sure to have ID and Password to your Cloud account written down.
  • Your backup hard drive or laptop
  • Cell phone with chargers, but prepare to deal without them, too.
  • Family and emergency contact information – and keep this not only in your mobile phone, but in a separate book. If you have no ability to charge a dead mobile phone, you’ll need those contacts written down and accessible.
  • Cash – if there are widespread power outages, ATMs don’t work, and stores won’t be able to process debit and credit cards. In a widespread emergency, cash is still king! Jewelry that could be traded in desperation might also be handy.
  • Emergency blanket – light-weight foil blankets are easiest to pack and carry
  • Map(s) of the area. Drop by the AAA store near Staples to get some.
  • Masks for COVID protection.

3 Kits Are Better Than 1

Everyone needs a survival kit. In California, families need to be prepared for wildfire and earthquake emergencies in particular. It’s a good idea to not only pack an emergency kit that you keep at home, but to have one at work, and one in your car.

Do NOT store near your chimney, swimming pool, large trees, or anything else that might fall down in an earthquake or wet supplies in heavy rain. A jam packed garage is also not the best place. In a small place, you may want to disguise your kit as a coffee table or footrest.

Prepare for your Babies and Kids

You know best what your children might really need, so prepare to have duplicates in their To Go bags. Ideas here from the CDC.

You may want to write your name and cell phone number with indelible ink on your child, should you become separated, and they be unable to give a responder that information. Same thing can be done on large pets with spray paint.

Remember to Prepare for Your Pets.

  • WATER!
  • Collar
  • Leash
  • ID/License
  • Food
  • Carrier
  • Bowl

Where to Flee

This is where things get interesting. You really must prepare your escape routes ahead of time, depending on if you might be at home, work or school.

If the East Hills are on fire, go west, toward Mountain View, on 237. But in an earthquake or flood, the Coyote Creek could be flooded or the area around it liquified, and unpassable.

680 north has slides and faults going under it. Know those dips near where Mission Blvd. goes under the freeway and your coffee spills? Land gives way there continuously, and during a big quake, that section will give way.

880 has major overpasses that could give way. It is closest to the Bay so could liquify going north. In the ’85 quake, large sections disappeared up in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Wouldn’t want to be up there in fire season either.

Now Piedmont Road, up against the hills, can get you pretty far south without any bridges. And eventually you could get on 101 South. But Anderson Reservoir dam could give way and flood 101.

As our major source of earthquakes is the Calaveras Fault, you do not want to try to escape an earthquake here by going up in the hills via Calaveras Blvd. Epicenter is often at the Calaveras Reservoir. Fires and landslides, too, are more likely in the hills than down in the valley. That’s a pretty tough drive even in the best of times.

If you are in the middle of town, take Abel St. south and continue south on Oakland Road. Or Milpitas Blvd. north to Warm Springs into Fremont, depending on source of danger.

So, my recommendation: after an earthquake, if your home is safe, plan to stay put in your home or yard, or tent in a City Park until help comes.

Power & Gas in Milpitas, California

About Power Conditions
Calpine
Conservation Tips
Education for Children
Loans, Rebates, etc.
PG&E – Pacific Gas & Electric Company
Power Politics
Silicon Valley Clean Energy

About Power Conditions

Frequently asked questions about rotating outages
These outages should last between 1 to 2 hours for most customers. These are not Public Safety Power Shutoffs due to extreme fire danger, and are not related to any issues with PG&E’s equipment or its ability to deliver energy locally. [Editor: so why is power being shut off, eh, PG&E]

Enter your street address on this page to get your planned outage number. Then return to the main link to get possible time of outage.

CAL ISO’s Outlook for Today
Current and forecasted demand.
Demand trend: System demand, in megawatts, compared to the forecasted demand in 5-minute increments.
Net demand trend: System demand minus wind and solar, in 5-minute increments, compared to total system and forecasted demand.

ISO System Status
Displays current system status and active and pending market notices (Alerts, Warnings and Staged Emergency notices).

News Releases – The California ISO
We invite anyone who would like to keep up with the latest energy news to check out News Releases on a regular basis.

Calpine

Calpine
San Jose-based corporation, builder of natural gas power generation facilities.

Conservation Tips

14 simple ways to save energy while working from home
‘It’s important to feel comfortable in your home, especially during these tough times when we are spending more time than ever in the house. However, this doesn’t mean that your energy bills need to spiral out of control.’

Energy Saving Tips
Take your free 5 minute Home Energy Checkup today. Find out how much of your home energy goes to heating, hot water, appliances, lighting and other uses.

Flex Alert
A Flex Alert is a call for consumers to conserve electricity during heat waves when power use outstrips electricity supply and other challenging grid conditions, such as when power plants or power lines are unexpectedly unavailable making electricity deliveries difficult.

Go Solar California
This site provides consumers a “one-stop shop” for information on rebates, tax credits, and incentives for solar energy systems in California.

Education for Children

Electricity 4 Kids
I want to find out more about electricity and electronics.

Energenius
Learn about our energy and environmental classroom lessons. No cost!

Safe Kids
Order free booklets about safety around electricity and natural gas. Have fun on their E-Smart Kids site for kids.

Science Fair Experiments from Energy Kids Learn the keys to a successful science fair project and find links to energy experiments, courtesy of the National Energy Education Development Project. Get the Guide to Planning a Science Fair Project. Watch the award-winning, 15 minute, cartoon Prepare for the Science Fair.

Loans, Rebates, etc.

Energy Efficiency Financing
The California Energy Commission’s Energy Efficiency Financing Program provides financing for schools, hospitals and local governments through low-interest loans for feasibility studies and the installation of energy-efficiency measures.

Energy Star
How you can improve your home, business or school with energy-saving appliances and use.

Get discounts on your PG&E bill with the CARE Program
Qualified households receive deep discounts on their energy bills through the California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) Program.

Go Solar California
Provides California consumers a “one-stop shop” for information on solar programs, rebates, tax credits, and information on installing and interconnecting solar electric and solar thermal systems. The site has information on program rules, including eligible equipment and standards, as well as information on how to find an eligible, licensed solar contractor.

PG&E – Pacific Gas & Electric Company

1-800-743-5000
PG&E’s emergency power outage information line. Lots of good emergency links. Form for less pressing concerns.

CALL 811 BEFORE YOU DIG!
Underground Service Alert (USA) is a free service for homeowners, excavators and professional contractors who are digging, blasting, trenching, drilling, grading, or excavating.

Pacific Gas & Electric Company
Milpitas gets its gas and electricity through PG&E.

For TTD/TTY — Speech/Hearing-Impaired
1-800-652-4712
For Information in Spanish
1-800-660-6789
For Information in Chinese
1-800-893-9555
For Information in Vietnamese
1-800-298-8438

Power Politics

California Energy Commission
The California Energy Commission is the state’s primary energy policy and planning agency. Created by the Legislature in 1974 and located in Sacramento, the Commission has five major responsibilities.

California ISO
The electricity picture in California is a complex interaction of many entities. This page attempts to pull together resources to help you understand and navigate the California electric market.

California Public Utilities Commission
Keep informed about how our utilities are being regulated.

Natural Gas in California
Overview of the natural gas system from the California Energy Commission.

Silicon Valley Clean Energy

Frequently Asked Questions
We provide Milpitas residential and commercial electricity customers with clean, carbon free electricity options at competitive prices, from sources like solar, wind and hydropower. We source the electricity, and PG&E delivers it over existing utility lines, and continues to do maintenance, billing and customer service. This type of model is known as Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) or Community Choice Energy (CCE).

It’s All About Choice
MILPITAS CUSTOMERS: If you received a notice that your generation service is changing to SVCE, and you want to enjoy the benefits of clean energy at competitive rates, you don’t need to do anything – you will be automatically enrolled into GreenStart beginning in June 2018.

SOLAR CUSTOMERS: Please see our rooftop solar page for more info about your enrollment schedule and Net Energy Metering choice with SVCE.

Foreclosure Information & How to Avoid

If you’re having trouble paying your mortgage, learn about the steps you can take to avoid foreclosure or minimize your debt after it happens.

Worried about Foreclosure? Don't Wait! Get Help Now!
Worried about Foreclosure? Don’t Wait! Get Help Now!

Financial Stability.gov Learn About the Making Home Affordable Refinance and Modification Options. The President’s plan was created to help millions of homeowners refinance or modify their mortgages. Beware of Foreclosure Rescue Scams – Help Is Free!

Foreclosure Avoidance Counseling HUD-approved housing counseling agencies are available to provide you with the information and assistance you need to avoid foreclosure.

Guide to Avoiding Foreclosure Whether you’re in foreclosure now or worried about it in the future, HUD has information that can help.

Homeownership Preservation Foundation 888-995-HOPE hotline. We are an independent nonprofit that provides HUD-approved counselors dedicated to helping homeowners. The help we offer is free.

How to Stop Foreclosure If you’re having trouble paying your mortgage, learn about the steps you can take to avoid foreclosure or minimize your debt after it happens. Nolo Press.

HUD Newsroom New plans all the time to help those struggling with mortgage payments and home upkeep.

Walk Away from Your Mortgage Calculator Is it in my economic interest to walk away? What will happen if I walk away? Can my loan be modified?

Earthquakes

California earthquake faults and recent earthquakes, and how they affect Milpitas, San Jose, and the San Francisco Bay Area.

Did You Feel It?
This is a U.S. Geological Survey project to collect information about ground shaking following significant earthquakes. Following an earthquake, please tell us what you felt by filling out the questionnaire for the appropriate earthquake. Best site to find information about a very recent earthquake.

Advice
Earthquake Information
Earthquakes Recently
History
Kids Earthquake Links
Maps
Public Seismic Networks

Advice

Are you ready for an earthquake?
The next time disaster strikes, you may not have much time to act. Prepare now for a sudden emergency. Learn how to protect yourself and cope with disaster by planning ahead. From the Red Cross.

Earthquake Engineering
National Information Service for Earthquake Engineering provides this technical site to provide latest research on how to build in a fault zone.

Earthquake Program
The City of Milpitas Building and Safety Department has a program to help you make your house safer. We will provide interested homeowners with a Prescriptive (Cookbook) Plan Set that may be used to strengthen older homes and for obtaining their building permit.

Make your own earthquake preparedness kit
In order to prepare for a major earthquake, SFGate has compiled a list of supplies the American Red Cross recommends you keep on hand.

Protect Yourself During an Earthquake…Drop, Cover, and Hold On!
OFFICIAL RESCUE TEAMS from the U.S. and other countries who have searched for trapped people in collapsed structures around the world, as well as emergency managers, researchers, and school safety advocates, all agree that “Drop, Cover, and Hold On” is the appropriate action to reduce injury and death during earthquakes.

Protecting Your Family From Earthquakes–The Seven Steps to Earthquake Safety (in English, Chinese, Vietnamese, and Korean)
Developed by American Red Cross, Asian Pacific Fund, California Earthquake Authority, Governor?s Office of Emergency Services, New America Media, U.S. Department of Homeland Security Federal Emergency Management Agency, and U.S. Geological Survey.

Putting Down Roots in Earthquake Country
This popular 32-page earthquake science and preparedness handbook has recently been updated. The new version features current scientific understanding of when and where earthquakes will occur in California, and how the ground will shake as a result. Updated maps of earthquakes, faults, and potential shaking are included as well as instructions on how to get information after earthquakes.

Earthquake Information

ABAG Resilience Program
Analysis of Bay Area hazards and how we can prepare for a bad quake.

California’s Earthquake Forum
The home for California earthquake information. A place to ask geologists about western fault information.

Earthquake Outlook for the San Francisco Bay Region 2014–2043
72% probability of one or more M ≥ 6.7 earthquakes from 2014 to 2043 in the San Francisco Bay Region. Earthquakes this large are capable of causing widespread damage; therefore, communities in the region should take simple steps to help reduce injuries, damage, and disruption, as well as accelerate recovery from these earthquakes.

Northern California Earthquake Data Center
The NCEDC is a long-term archive and distribution center for seismological and geodetic data for Northern and Central California.

Recent Earthquakes in California and Nevada
Earthquakes recorded for the last week (168 hours). Times are local (PST or PDT). The most recent earthquakes are at the top of the list. Click through for details.

UC Berkeley Seismological Laboratory
You can even make your own seismogram!

History

1906

The Great 1906 Earthquake And Fire
Original sources and timeline from the Museum of San Francisco.

Story of an Eyewitness
Collier’s, May 5, 1906. Jack London went to the scene of the San Francisco Fire & Earthquake and wrote the following dramatic description of the tragic events he witnessed in the burning city.

1989

1989 Earthquake Reports and Photographs
Fascinating original source material from the Museum of the City of San Francisco, such as 911 reports, photographs, and more.

The October 17, 1989, Loma Prieta, California, Earthquake-Selected Photographs
This publication provides images for use by the interested public, multimedia producers, desktop publishers, and the high-end printing industry.

1998

Mission Peak Landslide of 1998
Report of the engineering firm retained by the City of Fremont to make a preliminary evaluation of the landslide sufficient to guide the city in emergency response and future planning decisions. (Picture)

Kids Earthquake Links

California Has Its Faults
A fault is a fracture along which there is movement. Some faults are actually composed of several fractures called fault branches. Collectively the branches are a fault zone.

Candy Quakes
A lesson plan using a variety of candy which you will quish in a number of ways to demonstrate forces on earth rocks. Clean up is the best part.

Make Your Own Earthquake Crossword Puzzle
Add, edit, delete clues, and customize this crossword. Print copies for an entire class. All in 5 minutes.

FEMA for Kids: Earthquakes
Most of the time, you will notice an earthquake by the gentle shaking of the ground. You may notice hanging plants swaying or objects wobbling on shelves. Sometimes you may hear a low rumbling noise or feel a sharp jolt. The computer simulations include a total of seven earthquake scenarios: three magnitude 6.8 scenarios with different starting locations (epicenters), three magnitude 7.0 scenarios with different starting locations, and one magnitude 7.2 scenario.

Maps

Santa Clara County Earthquake Hazard
Santa Clara County Earthquake Hazard
Milpitas located in area where freeways make a capital H

ABAG’s Resilience Program – Earthquake Map Santa Clara County
Several active faults present potential hazard to Santa Clara County. On the northwestern boundary, the San Andreas Fault runs through the hills separating the County from Santa Cruz County. In the central county, the Hayward/Rodgers Creek and Central Calaveras dominate the earthquake threat. The Greenville fault dominates in the northeastern portion of the county.

Bay Area Shaking Hazard Maps
The “On Shaky Ground” supplement report lets you select a city (say, Milpitas) and a large quake on a number of Bay Area fault lines. It then shows you a map of how intense various neighborhoods would feel that quake.

San Andreas Fault Facts
California’s sleeping giant, the San Andreas Fault, marks the slippery yet sticky boundary between two of Earth’s tectonic plates. It is responsible for the biggest earthquakes in California, up to at least magnitude 8.1.

San Andreas Fault Liquefaction Scenario

Santa Clara County Earthquake Hazard
Several active faults present potential hazard to Santa Clara County. On the northwestern boundary, the San Andreas Fault runs through the hills separating the County from Santa Cruz County. In the central county, the Hayward/Rodgers Creek and Central Calaveras dominate the earthquake threat. The Greenville fault dominates in the northeastern portion of the county.

Public Seismic Networks

Public Seismic Network of San Jose
Dedicated to the promotion of awareness and information about earthquakes. It is part of the growing worldwide PSN which connects amateur seismologists, persons interested in earthquakes and seismic activity with information resources; from general history to detailed plans for constructing monitoring instruments and systems.

Air Travel

How to get to Milpitas and how to leave it via air travel. Most use SJC out of San Jose, as the closest airport to Milpitas.
SJC Hands

Airlines

Airlines at the Norman Y. Mineta San Jose Airport
Page with the links to each airline, where you can find flight information.

Airplane Manufacturers

RnR Products
Our all composite miniature aircraft have flown the world including the first UAV to cross the Atlantic non-stop! 1120 Wrigley Way, 408-946-4751.

Airports

Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport
Located five miles southwest of Milpitas, San Jose International Airport (SJC) is the closest air service for visitors to travel to and from Milpitas.

Airlines and Flights
This section contains a listing of all airlines servicing San Jose International Airport, their terminal locations, toll-free numbers and Web addresses. Reference our on-line Flight Guide to help you plan your air travel. If you’re checking on an arriving flight, you’ll find a link to Real-Time information with TheTrip.com’s Real-Time Flight Tracker.

To & From SJC
Come and go as you please. This section provides information on maps and directions, parking, meeting passengers, rental cars, taxis, rideshares, public transitdoor-to-door shuttles, hotel shuttles, limousines, scheduled buses, and bicycles and pedestrians.

Passenger Services
Here you’ll find a listing of all the maps of the Airport. These maps will help you locate all the services the Airport has to offer, including: restaurants services and amenities, shops, things to do, public art, and accessible services.

Cargo and Freight
Need information on shipping? This section contains names, toll-free numbers and Web addresses of all cargo carriers servicing San Jose International Airport.

About SJC
There’s more to the Airport than you might have imagined. This section is a compendium of news and information, including employment opportunities, and news releases.

Community and Environment
San Jose International Airport is involved with the community on many levels. This section provides links to the various areas of involvement such as the Noise Abatement, Curfew Monitoring, and Flight Tracking Program with a 10-minute delay.

Oakland International Airport
North of Milpitas about 30 miles. 2nd preferred airport, should you not be able to fly into San Jose.

San Francisco International Airport
The Airport is known as the Gateway to the Pacific for its premier position as a point of departure to many destinations in the Pacific Rim. Find airline flight schedules to and from SFO; ground transportation services; airport terminal guide; and airport parking. Kiss and Fly drop off area.

Planning

Airport Expansion Plans
How might airport expansion affect quality of life in the area. Metro story.

CAAPSO
CAAPSO is a collaboration of interested parties that want to maintain Reid-Hillview (RHV) airport as a vibrant resource for the general aviation community and a benefit to the local community. CAAPSO stands for what we believe in: a Community And Airport Partnership for Safe Operations.

How to stop commercial air hijackings without inconveniencing air travelers
I’ve listed many suggestions below for both increasing security and making the plane a less attractive with minimal passenger air travel inconvenience. Many can be implemented immediately, at virtually no cost. Steve Kirsch

Shuttle Service

Airport Parking Reservations
We’ve done the shopping and negotiated great parking rates for you. We offer you a selection of safe and secure parking operators within 5 minutes of the airport.

Public Transportation to San Jose-Mineta Airport
The Route#60 service schedule has temporarily reduced frequency, running every 20-minutes between the hours of 5:30 AM and end service after 9 PM, 7 days a week. Route #60 will continue to offer free rides from the airport, with a minimal fee to ride into the airport, or free with a transfer pass to the Milpitas Bart Transit Center and the Winchester Transit Center.

Shuttle companies
All over the Bay Area offer airport-to-door service to SJC. Discounts are offered for groups of 2 or more being picked up at the same location. List with phone numbers.

Travelers’ Information

City Hall will now accept Passport Applications
A benefit to residents, the move will also provide additional and much needed revenue. The City of Milpitas will be receive $30 for each processed passport. Applications will be accepted Monday-Thursday, 9a – 3p, and Fridays by appointment. Call the City Clerk’s Office for more information: 586-3001.

Applying For Passports
You may apply for passports at the County of Santa Clara, Office of the Recorder, mornings between 8 a.m. and noon.

Flight Aware
Live current status of any flights between major cities within the United States.

International Travel Information
Travel Warnings are issued when the State Department decides, based on all relevant information, to recommend that Americans avoid air travel to a certain country.

Security Procedures
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) manages airport security. Visit the TSA website to find up to the minute security procedures and how to best prepare for your next flight.

See also Flying (Recreational Flying)

Milpitas Square Hotels

Near Milpitas Square Shopping Center, South of 237 and West of 880
 Hotels which are convenient to Cisco, KLA Tencor and Western Digital.

Extended Stay America
330 Cypress Dr.
Pet-friendly rooms available. On-premise coin-operated laundry facility.
408-433-9700

Hampton Inn Milpitas
215 Barber Lane
Accessible hotel rooms.
408-428-9090

Crown Plaza RobotSonesta San Jose
777 Bellew Dr. (South side of 237)
Has large conference facilities. For the technically curious, they have an automated robotic butler to bring you stuff.
408-321-9500

Staybridge Suites
321 Cypress Drive
Designed for the business traveler, we can shuttle you to work and pick you up again. Outdoor pool.
408-383-9500

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