Housing commissioners say San Jose isn't providing data - San Jose Spotlight

"Officials at the Housing and Development Commission meeting on Thursday had a disagreement over what information commissioners have the right to request from the Housing Department. Some commissioners said it's been difficult getting data from the department to inform their recommendations - information that has been provided in the past. When it came time to decide on whether the requests should be formalized through a public records request, commissioners voted 9-1-1 to table the discussion. Commissioner Gabriela Gabrian voted no and Commissioner Daniel Finn, who represents mobile home residents, abstained."

"Chair Ruben Navarro, who brought forth the item, told San José Spotlight. "Tabling this item does not address the underlying need," Chair Ruben Navarro, who brought forth the item, told San José Spotlight. "Commissioners require access to essential data and information to provide meaningful recommendations to City Council. This is a fundamental responsibility of an advisory body. The residents of San Jose deserve a fully informed commission. We will revisit this matter.""

"Finn said the housing department isn't providing information that commissioners typically have had access to, including the mobile home call logs. The report is normally provided on a quarterly basis with a catalog of the date of the call, who called, which park they called, the topic and a brief synopsis of the call. Current call logs lack the description of the call, which provides pertinent information about the issues residents are inquiring about, Finn said."

"The issue with the call logs led to a spat between the commissioners and Housing Director Erik Soliván on how and when commissioners can get information. When commissioners tried to get a clearer answer on when they can expect to receive requested information from city staff, Soliván said requests are weigh"

San Jose housing commissioners raised concerns about the authority of the city housing director and said they are being sidelined. At a Housing and Development Commission meeting, commissioners disagreed about what information they can request from the Housing Department. Some commissioners reported difficulty obtaining data needed to inform recommendations, including information previously provided. Commissioners voted 9-1-1 to table formalizing the requests through public records requests, with one commissioner voting against and another abstaining. Chair Ruben Navarro said tabling does not address the need for essential data and that the matter would be revisited. Commissioner Daniel Finn said mobile home call logs are missing descriptions that normally appear in quarterly reports, limiting insight into residents’ concerns.

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